Cyclooxygenase-2 Expression Associated with the Degree of Differentiation of Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma at Sanglah Hospital Denpasar

Cancer of the oral cavity is a serious problem and developed in various parts of the world with high morbidity and mortality. Cyclooxygenase-2 expression and the degree of differentiation of oral cavity SCC are prognostic factors, but the relationship between them still cause difference of opinions. The aim of this study was to prove the expression of COX-2 associated with the degree of differentiation of oral cavity SCC. This study used cross sectional analytical method in 45 histopathology samples of patients with oral cavity SCC which divided into well, moderately, and poorly differentiated. The results were analyzed by Kolmogorov Smirnov, One Way Anova and Post Hoc. P value less than 0.05 was considered significant. The results showed there was a significant association between COX-2 expression and degree of differentiation (p=0,036). There was a significant difference in COX-2 expression score mean in the three differentiation-degree groups on well and poorly differentiated (p=0,000) as well as moderately and poorly differentiated (p=0,001). In Conclusion there was association between COX-2 expression and degree of differentiation. Cyclooxygenase-2 is expected to be a marker of progressivity and indirect prognostic factors that may later be useful in oral cavity SCC therapy.