Actual proliferating index as an indicator of prognosis in oral malignancy and premalignancy

The purpose of this study was to use actual proliferation index toexamine the possible association between epithelial proliferation and disease progression in the oral mucosa. Ki-67 labeling index (LI) and argyrophilic nucleolar organizer regions (AgNORs) count per nucleus were used to draw actual proliferation index (API). The immunohistochemistry (IHC) was carried out for ki-67 by using MIB-1 clone in 30 leukoplakia, 30 oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), and 10 normal oral mucosa (NOM). The AgNORs count per nucleus, ki-67 LI and API was significantly higher in OSCC followed by leukoplakia and NOM. Leukoplakia with dysplasia showed significantly higher API as compared to leukoplakia without dysphasia. The API is useful as a prognostic factor and also helps to determine treatment modality for patients with premalignant and malignant lesions.