title: The expression of epidermal growth factor receptors in the oral mucosa of patients with oral cancer.
abstract: Representative tumor samples and mucosal samples were taken from three different groups of patients and were stained immunohistochemically for their expressions of epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFR). Patients in group 1 had oral squamous carcinoma, with specimens taken from the tumor as well as from the mucosa without tumor invasion. Patients in group 2 had no evidence of tumor but had heavy drinking and smoking habits. Tumor-free patients who do not drink or smoke served as the control group. The findings in the present study showed that the tumor and mucosal samples from groups 1 and 2 had increased EGFR expression while the control group showed significantly less EGFR. These results suggest that EGFR may play a role in the development of premalignant tissue changes, which are probably influenced by chronic toxic irritation.
authors: Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Federal Republic of Germany.
authors: W
authors: W
authors: Bergler
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Bier
authors: U
authors: U
authors: Ganzer
mesh_terms: D000437:Alcoholism / Q000150:complications; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000032:analysis; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D013194:Staining and Labeling
chemical_list: D066246:ErbB Receptors