Objectives: The aim of the present paper was to evaluate the expression of Galectin –1 in young and old patients of oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Materials and Methods: Paraffin– embedded blocks of 15 diagnosed cases of OSCC in young and old age groups each were selected for the study. They were stained with Galectin–1 antibody and microscopically examined. Data was analysed by unpaired t test.

Results: In this study, both young and old age groups showed a marked male predilection and the tongue was the commonest site for younger age group while buccal mucosa and alveolar mucosa were mostly involved in the older group. Galectin –1 expression in younger and older age groups of OSCC didn’t show any significant difference.

Conclusion: Immunohistochemical study showed that percentage of positive cells and intensity of staining was more in older than in younger patients. However, there was no stastistically significant difference in Galectin–1 expression quantitatively.