Squamous Cell Carcinoma Of The Gingiva: Histological Classification And Grading Of Malignancy

Abstract

The degree of histological activity in squamous cell carcinomas of the gingiva has generally been categorized by classifying the tumours as highly, moderately, or poorly differentiated. This classification has in the past been generally applied despite the rather heterogeneous morphology of these types of carcinoma. Thus, the tumours are frequently highly differentiated at the surface and less differentiated in the invasive, deeper portions. The correlation between the degree of tumour differentiation and the prognosis is of limited significance and this type of classification has proved inadequate as a basis for the choice of therapy in many cases. Consequently, we have deemed it urgent to try to establish a more systematic histological classification for gingival carcinomas which better reflects the biological growth capacities of the tumours and might serve as an improved aid for therapy in individual cases.