The tissue Biology of the oropharyngeal mucosa: a cadaver study

• Grant number: 21/15029-0
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): May 01, 2022
• Effective date (End): April 30, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Surgery
• Principal researcher: Leandro Luongo de Matos
• Grantee: Paulo Rodrigues de Oliveira Junior
• Home Institution: Faculdade de Medicina (FM). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Head and neck cancer is the sixth most common neoplasm worldwide and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the most frequent histological type. SCC does not have an equal and regular distribution among the different upper aerodigestive tract organs and even among the distinct subsites in the same organ. Especially the oropharynx has had the incidence of the disease increased, due to tumors related to exposure to human papillomavirus (HPV), in addition to known risk factors such as smoking and alcohol abuse. Objective: to analyze the morphological distinguishing characteristics of the oropharynx site in its various anatomical subsites. Methods: experimental fresh cadaveric study with sampling in the oropharynx site and compare with the samples collected from other sites of the upper aerodigestive tract mucosa. In the morphological analysis, it will be assessed keratinization and parakeratinization parameters, the thickness of the epithelial layer, the basal layer, and the lamina propria; distribution of blood vessels and lymphatic vessels; occurrence and number of salivary glands in the submucosal layer. In the immunohistochemical study, quantitative digital method the antibodies podoplanin and the markers D2-40, CD-34 and VEGF-R, p16, and collagen type IV will evaluate it. (AU)