The influence of differing dissection techniques on p53 as a possible indicator for local recurrences in carcinomas of the upper aerodigestive tract.
BACKGROUND
A correlation between the occurrence of p53 protein in margins after tumor resection has been proposed as indicator for recurrence. This study should clarify whether differences occur in p53 protein detection after laser surgery as opposed to surgery with the scalpel.


METHODS
Healthy mucosa of the oropharynx (n = 28) and squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) (n = 19) were excised with scalpel, CO2 and Nd:YAG laser and then examined for the presence of p53 protein with immunohistochemistry and ELISA.


RESULTS
The occurrence of p53 protein in SCCHN was dependent on the applied resection technique. In lasersurgically excised tissue only a small zone adjacent to the cutting edge was found to be negative for p53. This zone of necrosis was smaller in margins after CO2 than after Nd:YAG laser resection.


CONCLUSIONS
Lasersurgical excision does only inhibit the detection of p53 in the zone of necrosis.
Folz
B J
BJ
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Kiel, Germany.
Lippert
B M
BM
Gottschlich
S
S
Maass
J D
JD
Werner
J A
JA
D000328:Adult; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D004210:Dissection / Q000379:methods; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008297:Male; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000473:pathology; D009336:Necrosis; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000473:pathology*; D009959:Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D009960:Oropharynx / Q000473:pathology; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000032:analysis*
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53