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Case Reports
. 2009 Dec 16:1:39.
doi: 10.1186/1758-3284-1-39.

MAGE-A as a novel approach in the diagnostic accuracy of oral squamous cell cancer: a case report

Philipp Metzler  1 , Nur Mollaoglu, Stephan Schwarz, Friedrich W Neukam, Emeka Nkenke, Jutta Ries
Affiliations
Case Reports

MAGE-A as a novel approach in the diagnostic accuracy of oral squamous cell cancer: a case report

Philipp Metzler et al. Head Neck Oncol. .

Abstract

Background: The aim of this case report is to introduce the combined use of brush biopsy and measurement of MAGE-A expression in the diagnosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).

Case report: We report of a 49-year old male patient who was referred to our department with a persistent-suspicious looking leukoplakia. Brush biopsy and an incisional biopsy were performed following clinical diagnosis. Histopathological examination revealed no malignancy. Expression analysis of melanoma-associated antigens A (MAGE-A) using real time RT-PCR was applied to brush biopsy materials because of the high prevalence of MAGE-A determined previously in OSCC's. Results indicated significant MAGE-A3 and A4 expression pattern. Therefore, the lesion was excised completely and an early invasive carcinoma was identified.

Conclusion: These results emphasize the role of brush biopsy using a tumor marker with a high expression frequency combined with a high sensitive and high specific detection system in the early diagnosis of OSCC, particularly in widespread leukoplakias.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Leukoplakia at the left palatoglossal arch.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Hyper- and parakeratosis (H&E, oil immersion, 630-fold magnification).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Atypical epithelial cells with polygonal epithelial cells showing clear cytoplasm and isomorphic, oval, small nuclei (Papanicolaou stain, oil immersion, 630-fold magnification).
Figure 4
Figure 4
Expression analysis of MAGE-A3 and -A4 by real time RT-PCR, NOM* (Normal oral mucosa); Rn represents the raw flurescence signal over time.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Expression analysis of MAGE-A3 and -A4 by real time RT-PCR, NOM* (Normal oral mucosa); Rn represents the raw flurescence signal over time.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Early carcinoma (H&E, oil immersion, 400-fold magnification).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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