Stromal myofibroblasts in squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue in young patients - a multicenter collaborative study.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the presence of myofibroblasts, frequently associated with a more aggressive neoplastic behavior, in oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) of young patients and to compare with the distribution observed in older patients. STUDY DESIGN: Tumor samples from 29 patients younger than 40 years old affected by TSCC were retrieved and investigated for the presence of stromal myofibroblasts by immunohistochemical reactions against alpha smooth muscle actin, and the results obtained were compared to TSCC cases affecting older patients. RESULTS: No positive reaction could be found in the stromal areas devoid of neoplastic tissue, whereas myofibroblasts were present in 58.6% of the lesions in young patients and in 75.9% of the older ones. No significant difference was found when comparing the invasive front and the overall stroma of both groups, and no correlation could be obtained with stromal alpha smooth muscle actin expression, higher tumor grades or clinical stage (P > .05). CONCLUSION: There was no significant difference between the presence of stromal myofibroblasts of TSCC affecting young and old individuals.