Background: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma ((HNSCC)) is the malignancy of squamous cells (the epidermal layer of skin) in cavities in Head and neck includes: larynx, pharynx, paranasal sinuses and oral cavity. The main goal of this research was to understand the effect of mutations in two important genes (KRAS and BRAF) in RAS/MAP kinase (EGFR) signaling pathway in tumor cells with Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma in Iran.Methods: The present cross-sectional study performed from October 2015 to September 2016 on 40 patients suffering from Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, all confirmed by pathology department of Imam Khomeini hospital. Tumor samples were achieved from the surgical cancer department of Imam Khomeini hospital and stored in liquid nitrogen until starting tests. The tests done in genetic laboratory of Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Techniques we used in this research, were DNA extraction based on phenol-chloroform approach, Multiplex PCR (M-PCR) to amplify mentioned exons and KRAS/BRAF strip assays to detect mutations in mutated hotspots in exon 2 of KRAS and codon V600E in BRAF gene.Results: In this study, we observed 7 mutations in codons 12 and 13 exon 2 in KRAS gene (about 17.5%) and 4 mutations in codon V600E in BRAF gene (about 10%) of obtained tumor samples. The hotspot mutation in codon 12 were Asp (10%) and Ser (5%) respectively. In BRAF, the most common mutation, as we expected according to other researches, was observed in codon V600E. We also observed that 29 people of these patients were male (about 72.5%) and 11 patients were female (about 27.5%). Moreover, 28 patients were over 50 years, while 7 patients were below the age of 50.Conclusion: The results of this study showed that mutations in genes KRAS and BRAF especially in studied hotspots, and the effects on their molecules in EGFR signaling pathway are important in involving Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, as other cancers. These findings may be considered in choosing drugs for targeted chemotherapy.

Background: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma ((HNSCC)) is the sixth most common cancer among men in the developed world. The objective of this study was to document the gender, age, sites of occurrence and histological differentiation of the (HNSCC) in southern Iran.Methods: In a retrospective study from 1992 to 2007, 386 patients with a histological diagnosis of the (HNSCC) were investigated in departments of pathology of Shiraz Dental School and Khalili Hospital in southern Iran.Results: Among 386 cases, there were 289 male (74.9%) and 97 female (25.1%). In younger patients, the male to female ratio was lower than that in the older ones. The larynx was the most commonly affected site (44%), followed by the oral cavity (34.7%), skin (7%), oropharynx (3.1%), hypopharynx (2.9%), cervical esophagus (2.3%), other sites (4.2%) and unknown site (1.8%). 45.6% were well but 8.3% were poorly differentiated for SCC.Conclusion: (HNSCC) was most common in the larynx and oral cavity with an older aged male preponderance, but male to female ratio was lower in younger patients than older ones.

Background and Aim:  Tumor associated tissue eosinophilia (TATE) is observed in several types of neoplasms, however, its relation with cancers such as squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) which is the most common malignancy of Head and neck has not been identified; This study aims to evaluate the relationship between TATE and histologic grading of Head and neck SCC ((HNSCC)) by Luna’s histochemical staining.Materials and Methods: In this descriptive study, 67 slides of 4m (HNSCC) tissue sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Samples were reviewed to evaluate histologic grading and then were divided into three groups as follows: Well-Differentiated, Moderately-Differentiated and Poorly-Differentiated. Eosinophil infiltration in tumor was assessed with Luna’s histochemical staining technique and eosinophils were counted and classified as follows: none (0), low (1-4), moderate (5-19), high (³20). They were randomly evaluated per 10 microscopic fields. Kruskal-Wallis test and Spearman correlation coefficient were used to analyze the results.Results: Tissue eosinophilia was found to be zero in only one case (1.5%) whereas in other 66 patients (98.5%) it was reported to be positive. The mean±SD number of counted eosinophil cells was 5.41±4.74. There was a significant correlation between the degree of histopathologic grade and TATE (P=0.04), but no significant relationship was detected between TATE and age, sex and lesion location.Conclusion: Tissue eosinophilia in Poorly-Differentiated group of (HNSCC) patients was lower than the other two groups, but no relationship associated with other clinicopathologic factors was found.

Zinc has an important role in skin health and its deficiency reduces immunity to evaluate levels of zinc in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and basal cell carcinoma (BCC) of skin, we studied 44 BCC and 38 SCC cases together with 33 controls. Blood samples were taken and after separation of serum, levels of zinc, albumin and total protein were measured by atomic absorption albumin kit and reflectometer consecutively. Serum globulin levels were estimated by subtracting albumin from total protein levels. Zinc levels were significantly lower in cancer cases than control (P<0.001). Mean serum albumin of BCC cases was significantly more than controls (P<0.01), but in BCC cases was not significantly different. Significant correlations were seen between levels of serum zinc and albumin of SCC (r=0.507, P<0.01) and BCC(r=0.43, P<0.01) patients and controls(r=0.35,P<0.01). Mean globulin levels in cancer cases were significantly lower than control group (P<0.01).We concluded that serum zinc and globulin levels decrease in BCC and SCC of skin.

Since the mid 1970s, several studies have shown that the incidence of squamous cell carcinoma of oral mocusa has been rising steadily. While oral cancer remains Longley a disease associated with older age groups, the increasing incidence has been particularly evident amongst younger adults. Because of severe illness and disability related to the disease and in order to determine the risk factors related to oral cancer type S.C.C. (squamous cell carcinoma), a matched cas-control study was conducted. Data was collected from several centers and in all 52 patients and 104controls were included in the study. Cases and controls were matched according to sex and age (±4 years). Seventy three percent of lesions were in tongue. The ratio cases in women were more than men, but because of matching on sex, The significant test was not performed. There was no significant difference in the frequency of S.C.C type oral cancer between cases and controls with regard to smoking, average of cigarette used in the last year of smoking and over the years of smoking. Other risk factors that showed significant relationship in this study were: using denture, history of oral candidiasis and oral health status. People who had used meat and candies, showed higher probability of caseness more frequently than others. The study findings are in line with already published data.  

Case Presentation: A 70 year-old man presented to the Radiation Oncology Department of Nemazee Hospital affiliated with Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, with a large tumor- like lesion on his face (Figure 1). The patient developed the lesion five years prior to his referral.