Association of Podoplanin Expression with Histological Grade in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Bangladesh

Abstract Background Oral carcinogenesis is a complex process driven by genetic alterations affecting proto-oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes, with key players including P16, P53, H-ras, cyclinD1, and EGFR. Podoplanin, a transmembrane glycoprotein, has emerged as a biomarker implicated in tumor progression and prognosis in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). This study aimed to evaluate the immunohistochemical expression of podoplanin across different histological grades of OSCC and analyze its association with clinicopathological parameters such as age, gender, anatomical site, personal habits, lymphovascular and perineural invasion, and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. Methods A cross-sectional observational study was conducted at the Department of Pathology, Bangladesh Institute of Research and Rehabilitation in Diabetes, Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders (BIRDEM) Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh, over two years. Fifty-six cases of OSCC were analyzed using hematoxylin and eosin-stained slides and paraffin-embedded tissue blocks. Podoplanin expression was assessed immunohistochemically, and staining intensity and extent were categorized as high or low. Results The results revealed high podoplanin expression in 33.90% of cases and low expression in 66.10%. High podoplanin expression was more frequently observed in moderately and poorly differentiated OSCC compared to well-differentiated tumors, with a statistically significant correlation between podoplanin expression and histological grade. However, no significant associations were identified between podoplanin expression and other factors, including age, gender, personal habits, anatomical site, lymphovascular invasion, perineural invasion, or tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. Conclusion Podoplanin expression was significantly associated with the histological grade of OSCC, suggesting its potential role as a prognostic marker. High podoplanin expression may indicate aggressive tumor behavior and poor prognosis, underscoring its relevance in OSCC evaluation and management.