ABSTRACT

Ameloblastoma is the most frequent odontogenic tumor and is considered a benign, but locally invasive neoplasm with variable clinico-pathological expression. Syndecan-1 is a cell surface proteoglycan that binds cells to the extracellular matrix and is expressed in various types of ameloblastoma. The aims of this study were to evaluate and compare syndecan-1 expression within the various types of ameloblastomas and to find a correlation between this expression and the biological behavior of variants. Immunohistochemical studies were performed for syndecan-1 in 30 ameloblastomas. Follicular ameloblastoma showed the statistically significantly highest mean area percent (32.10%). This was followed by plexiform ameloblastoma which showed lower mean area percentage value (22.02%). Ameloplastic carcinoma showed the statistically significantly lowest mean area percent (11.59%). The present results suggested the down regulation of syndecan-1 expression indicated decreased cell adhesion and higher cell proliferation.