Abstract

Objective: Neo-vascularization is vital for expansion and metastasis of a tumour and is influenced by a number of mediators. Mast cells are believed to release many pro-angiogenic mediators that may help in tumour expansion and invasion. This study describes the role of mast cells and angiogenesis in different histological types of Ameloblastoma.
Study design: It was a prospective study in which 28 biopsies of different histological types of ameloblastoma were obtained. Microvessels were stained with CD-34 and mast cells were counted using Toluidine blue stain.
Results: Mean age of patients of Ameloblastoma was 29.71±2.544 (95% CI: 24.49 – 34.93). The most common histological type of ameloblastoma was plexiform followed by follicular type. Mandible was more commonly involved (89.3%) than maxilla (10.7%). Mean mast cell count in all 28 cases of ameloblastoma was 6.39 ± 0.915 and it was significantly higher than normal oral mucosa (p = 0.000). Mean microvessel count was 12.75 ± 1.234 but it was not significantly higher than mean MVD of normal oral mucosa (p = 0.242). The mast cell count differed significantly among different histological types of ameloblastoma
Conclusion: According to this study, the mast cell density is significantly increased in ameloblastoma but the increase in mast cells is not correlated with angiogenesis in and around the tumour tissue.

Key words: Mast cells, angiogenesis, ameloblastoma, microvascular density