Is Tissue Platelet Count an Important Diagnostic Tool for Oral Cancer?

Abstract

Metastasis is the main cause of cancer-related deaths and a major challenge in today’s cancer management. Although many new therapies against malignant tumors have been developed over the last few years, the prognosis of most malignancies remains unfavorable, once metastatic spread has occurred. There are plethora of studies indicating that the interaction of tumor cells with platelets within the bloodstream is essential during this early phase of metastasis. Ironically, however, in the past century, the wide range of platelet contributions to health and disease has stimulated intense study of platelet function such as anti-platelet therapy. There are various laboratory tests available for platelet analysis, which include study of growth factors, immunohistochemistry, blood platelet count, etc., but platelet count in biopsy tissue itself has not been explored in malignancy. Therefore, this review article highlights the importance of tissue platelet count using simple histochemical stain in various oral precancers and cancers which have not been explored yet.

Keywords: Oral cancer, platelet analysis, biopsy tissue, metastasis