Objective: To immunohistochemically evaluate and correlate the density of tumour associated macrophages (TAMs) in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC) cases with or without lymph node involvement.

Material and Methods: This retrospective study was conducted on formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissue blocks of OSCC cases (n=30) treated with neck dissection, which were retrieved from the archives of the Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology. OSCC cases (n=30) were classified based on pathological lymph node status as with lymph node metastasis (pN+) (n=15) and without lymph node metastasis (pN–) (n=15). Immunohistochemical analysis was carried out using immunohistochemical marker CD68 for TAM. The density of CD68+ TAMs in primary tumour (OSCC) was evaluated and correlated with pathological lymph node status.

Results: The mean density of TAMs (CD68+) was increased in pN+ OSCC cases when compared to pN– OSCC cases. Statistically this difference was significant.

Conclusion: The result obtained suggested that the mean density of TAMs (CD68+) may have a predictive value in determining the metastatic potential of OSCC.