Prognostic Factors in Supraglottic Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Abstract

To establish its prognostic value in supraglottic squamous cell carcinoma proliferative activity, the usefulness of Ki67 and p53 protein expression by immunohistochemistry and of DNA ploidy by image analysis was studied in 41 patients who were treated with a partial horizontal laryngectomy and had a mean follow-up of 4 years. Histologically 24% were well differentiated, 44% moderately, and 32% poorly differentiated. No correlation was found between clinical stage, histologic differentiation, and survival. In 29 cases (71%) p53 staining was observed (mean score 32%). There was a statistically significant correlation between p53 and histologic differentiation (p=0.03), clinical stage (p=0.01), and follow-up (p=0.02). Mean proliferation index (Ki67) was 20%. Statistically significant correlation was observed between Ki67 and p53 (p=0.02). All tumors were aneuploid. Correlation between 5c exceeding events and follow-up was found (p=0.04). These data suggest that p53 overexpression and the presence of 5c exceeding events provide useful prognostic information concerning behavior of supraglottic squamous cell carcinoma.