Effects of preoperative radiation and chemotherapy on AgNOR counts in oral squamous cell carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
This study evaluated the relationship between argyophilic nucleolar organizer regions (AgNORs) and the histologic effects of preoperative chemotherapy or external radiation on oral squamous cell carcinoma.


METHODS
Thirty-three cases of oral squamous cell carcinoma that were treated with chemotherapy (pepleomycin or 5-FU) or 60Co external radiation were studied. Biopsies were done on the tumor sites before therapy and the number of AgNORs per nucleus was recorded. After therapy, the tumors were resected and the therapeutic effects were assessed histologically.


RESULTS
The number of AgNORs per nucleus before therapy ranged from 4.7 to 12.45 (mean +/- SD, 8.71 +/- 2.26). As the number of AgNORs per nucleus increased, the histological effects of preoperative therapy were enhanced. It was 5.75 +/- 0.77 in cases with a poor histological effect of preoperative treatment, 8.03 +/- 1.85 in cases with a mild histological effect, 9.09 +/- 1.85 in the moderate histological effect group, and 10.46 +/- 1.56 in the excellent histological effect group.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that AgNORs could be used to predict the effects of preoperative radiation and chemotherapy on oral squamous cell carcinoma.
Kinoshita
Y
Y
Department of Oral Surgery, Kanagawa Dental College, Yokosuka, Japan.
Dohi
M
M
Mizutani
N
N
Ikeda
A
A
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D004261:DNA Replication / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D006801:Humans; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy; D009697:Nucleolus Organizer Region / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D011300:Preoperative Care; D011379:Prognosis; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D016622:Silver Staining
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm