MYC amplification in squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck.
OBJECTIVE
To establish the frequency of MYC amplification in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the head and neck to evaluate its correlation with clinicopathologic variables that are used in clinical practice.


METHODS
Cohort analytic study.


METHODS
University Hospital.


METHODS
Fifty-nine consecutive patients with SCC of the head and neck.


METHODS
Oncologic surgery.


METHODS
The MYC copy number in tumor samples was estimated with the polymerase chain reaction. The presence or absence of amplification was correlated with the anatomic site, T stage, nodal involvement, pathologic grade, recurrence, distant metastases, and survival.


RESULTS
Six SCC specimens (11%) showed MYC amplification. A highly statistical correlation between MYC amplification and T stage was noted (P < .005). Amplification was also significantly correlated with a hypopharyngeal primary site (P < .05). No correlation among amplification status, nodal involvement, pathologic grade, relapse, metastases, and survival was observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Amplification of MYC is associated with advanced primary tumors, and it appears to be a late event in the tumorigenesis of SCCS of the head and neck. However, there is no correlation between MYC amplification and prognosis.
Rodrigo
J P
JP
Otorhinolaryngology Service, Hospital Central de Asturias, Oviedo, Spain.
Lazo
P S
PS
Ramos
S
S
Alvarez
I
I
Suárez
C
C
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001483:Base Sequence; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000235:genetics* / Q000601:surgery; D015331:Cohort Studies; D017931:DNA Primers; D004587:Electrophoresis, Agar Gel; D005260:Female; D005784:Gene Amplification; D015870:Gene Expression; D016259:Genes, myc; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction
D017931:DNA Primers