Purpose: To study the expressions and clinical significance of PTEN protein in tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC).
Methods: The expressions of PTEN at protein level was investigated in 74 cases of TSCC and 15 cases of normal peripheral tissues around cancer (as control) by strep avidin-biotin complex (SABC) immunohistochemical technique. Mann-Whitney U-test, Pearson's Chi-square test and Fisher exact test were used to analyze the data.
Results: The rates of the positive expression in normal tissue and TSCC of PTEN were 100% and 66.2% respectively (P<0.05). Pathological grade and T stage were not significantly related with the level of PTEN expression (P>0.05). There was significant correlation between the level of PTEN expression and cervical lymph node status (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Expressions of PTEN is correlated with cervical lymphnode metastasis in tongue squamous cell carcinoma.