title: MYC amplification in squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Otorhinolaryngology Service, Hospital Central de Asturias, Oviedo, Spain.
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Rodrigo
authors.forename: P S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Lazo
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ramos
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Alvarez
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Suárez
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D017931:DNA Primers