Abstract Arsenic contamination in the environment and groundwater is a major global public health problem. Several researchers suggest that the toxicity of arsenic could be related to oral cancer development, usually resulting from potentially malignant lesions. During pathological processes, salivary proteins suffer modifications, which could lead to the discovery of new biomarkers. Objective To analyze the protein profile in human saliva samples from a rural population exposed to high levels of arsenic in drinking water and its association with potentially malignant lesions. Methodology This observational, analytic and cross-sectional design included 121 patients from the state of Graneros (Tucumán, Argentina). Arsenic concentration in drinking water was determined and, according to the values obtained, individuals were divided into 2 groups: exposed group and non-exposed group. Saliva samples were obtained, and total protein concentration was measured by Bradford method. Finally, Laemmli SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was conducted to obtain the protein profile. Results Total protein concentration in saliva was lower in the exposed group than in the non-exposed group. Average areas of 20 and 42 KDa bands were significantly lower in exposed group than non-exposed group. Conclusion Chronic intake of high arsenic concentrations in drinking water produces changes in the salivary protein profile, which is associated with the presence of potentially malignant lesions.

Gingival fibromatosis is a rare disease characterized by progressive enlargement of the gingiva caused by an increase in submucosal connective tissue. The enlargement may potentially cover the exposed tooth surfaces. Idiopathic gingival fibromatosis (IGF) is a heterogeneous group of disorders with no definite cause. The aim of this study is to present a 13-year-old female patient with unusual clinical forms of Unilateral FGI with a complete analysis of the features of the clinical diagnosis, treatment and follow-up for four years. Intraoral examination revealed severe gingival overgrowth involving both the upper arch and the lower arch, affecting on the left side. The right side of the mouth was unaffected. There was no significant pain. The lesion was diffuse, firm and fibrotic. Her medical and family history was also non-contributory. The patient was not receiving any antiepileptic, antihypertensive, or immunosuppressive medications that could contribute to the gingival enlargement. Histopathological examination showed hyperparakeratinized stratified squamous epithelium, presence of a thickened acanthotic epithelium and focal hyperplasia. Underlying connective tissue stroma was collagenous with numerous lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate. Unusual findings include the presence of calcified particles. Bevel gingivectomy was taken to remove gingival overgrowth. This case is thus a rare and atypical presentation of gingival fibromatosis. The patient was advised to maintain good oral hygiene to minimize the effect of inflammation on fibroblasts. In our case, even after four years of follow-up, no recurrence of gingival overgrowth was observed. Unilateral IGF is a relatively rare condition with poorly understood etiopathogenesis and recurrence rates. The cases should be treated with a multidisciplinary management. Treatment appreciably improved the patient's psychological, aesthetics and masticatory competence.

La fibromatosis gingival es una enfermedad rara que se caracteriza por aumento del tejido gingival por proliferación fibrosa, es de crecimiento lento, cubriendo en algunos casos la totalidad de los dientes comprometidos. Esta nosología comprende un grupo heterogéneo de patologías de causas no determinadas. El objetivo de este trabajo es presentar un caso clínico de una paciente de 13 años con FGI Unilateral, su diagnóstico, tratamiento y seguimiento durante cuatro años. Presenta al examen clínico intraoral, agrandamiento anormal de su encía tanto superior como inferior, afectando solamente los hemiarcos del sector izquierdo. A la palpación es indolora y de consistencia fibrosa. No se encontraron factores locales que justifiquen dicho aumento. El examen físico elimina la posibilidad de otras patologías asociadas, no refiriendo recibir medicaciones inmunosupresivas, antiepilépticos o antihipertensivas. No tiene antecedentes familiares. La paciente fue sometida a extirpación quirúrgica del tejido hiperplasiado y el material obtenido enviado a estudio histopatológico. Después del tratamiento quirúrgico y una buena higiene oral con exámenes de control efectuados durante cuatro años no se observó recurrencia. A pesar de ser una patología poco frecuente el odontólogo debe conocer la fisiopatología y comprender que el manejo de ésta enfermedad es a través de un equipo multidisciplinario. El diagnóstico precoz y el tratamiento oportuno logran la recuperación psicológica, estética y funcional de los pacientes.

Histoplasmosis is an endemic deep mycosis produced by Histoplasma capsulatum, a dimorphic fungus. It penetrates into the organism by inhalation and spreads by lymphatic or hematic route. We report a 57-year-old immunocompetent male presenting with an enlargement of the tongue that also exhibited white pseudomembranes. There were also nodular lesions in the dorsum of the tongue, separated by deep grooves. The pathological study revealed a chronic infammatory process with granulomas. The microbiological examination with the Giemsa technique showed multiple yeasts of 4-5 mm of diameter with a clear halo inside macrophages and epithelial cells, compatible with the parasitic phase of Histoplasma capsulatum. Serology was positive for the histoplasmine antigen. The patient was treated with Itraconazole 200 mg/day, experiencing 40% remission of lesions during the frst month of treatment.

Resumen El melanoma es un cáncer de origen melanocítico extremadamente raro, de pronóstico grave con una pobre sobrevida a los cinco años. El objetivo del presente trabajo es comunicar un caso clínico de melanoma de la cavidad bucal correspondiente a una mujer de 75 años de edad, en la cuál se estudiaron los niveles séricos de las enzimas lisosomales, Fosfatasa Ácida (FA), Hexosaminidasa (Hex),  Beta Galactosidasa (b-Gal) y el Antígeno Carcinoembrionario (CEA). El tratamiento efectuado fue quirúrgico completándose el mismo con quimio e inmunoterapia, falleciendo la paciente a los doce meses del diagnóstico. El dosaje de las enzimas lisosomales séricas al momento del diagnóstico mostraban un valor superior al valor máximo normal, por lo que investigaciones posteriores podrían validar el dosaje de estas enzimas como método complementario para el diagnóstico de esta patología. La identificación de lesiones precursoras del melanoma maligno y la determinación de marcadores tumorales séricos junto a la aplicación de terapias locales y sistémicas mas efectivas podrían contribuir a mejorar la sobrevida de estos pacientes

SUMMARY The melanoma is a melanocytic start cancer extremely strange, of serious forecast with a poor survive at five year. The aim of the present work is communicate a clinical case of mouth cavity melanoma belonging  to a 75-year-old woman, in which were studied lysosomal enzymes levels, Acid Fosfatase (FA), Hexosaminidase (Hex), B-Galactosidasa (B-Gal) and the Carcinoembrionic Antigen (CEA). The treatment carried out was surgical and being completed with quimio and immunotherapy, dying twelve months latter the patient. The seric lysosomal enzymes at the moment of diagnostic showed a value over the normal one, for what this study suggested may be used as  complementary method of diagnosis to this pathology. The precursor injuries identification of  malignant melanoma and seric determination of tumour scoreboards with the application of local and systemic therapies more effective might help to provide better survive to these patients

El Liquen Plano Bucal (LPB) es una enfermedad mucocutánea, de carácter inflamatorio, y de curso crónico. La Organización Mundial de la Salud incluyó al LPB como un estado precanceroso definiendo como tal, a un proceso generalizado que se asocia con un riesgo significativamente mayor de presentar cáncer. Numerosos estudios han documentado el potencial premaligno del LPB. Sin embargo, la asociación del LPB a lesiones malignas es hasta el momento un tema controvertido. El objetivo de este trabajo es comunicar un caso de LPB, Carcinoma de Células Escamosas (CCE) y Carcinoma Verrugoso de Ackerman (CVA) en un paciente de 59 años de edad quien no refirió tener hábitos de uso de tabaco o consumo de alcohol. Los tres tipos de lesiones fueron diagnosticadas simultáneamente , en la misma localización anatómica. El reporte de este nuevo caso clínico sugeriría la necesidad de realizar exámenes de seguimiento regulares a los pacientes con LPB, en especial a quienes presentan formas atróficas-erosivas y/o factores de riesgo.

Oral lichen planus, or OLP, is a chronic inflammatory mucocutaneous disease. Precancerous conditions are defined as a generalized state associated with a significantly increased risk of cancer. The World Health Organization defined lichen planus as precancerous conditions. Several studies have addressed the issue of the premalignant potential of lichen planus. Some aspects of this pathology are still controversial. The aim of this article is to document the development of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and Ackerman verrucous carcinoma Ackerman (AVC) in a 59 year old man with an oral lesion diagnosed clinically as OLP. He was non smoker and no alcohol habits. At the time of diagnostic the three lesions simultaneously were found in the same anatomic place. This new case of malignization suggests the needs to carry out examinations particularly important in patients who have atypical form of OLP and /or risk factors.