Proliferative capacity in head and neck cancer.
BACKGROUND
Shortening of overall treatment time (accelerated radiotherapy) appears to result in an increase of the efficacy of irradiation. In this study, we compared the proliferative capacity between tumors originating in different sites of the head and neck region. Tumors with a large proliferating capacity might, theoretically, benefit most from accelerated radiotherapy.


METHODS
BrdUrd was administered intravenously in patients with head and neck carcinomas. Tumor samples were analyzed with flow cytometry. T and N stages were assessed in accordance with the TNM classification system (UICC 1987).


RESULTS
No significant differences in proliferation parameters were observed with respect to site of origin of head and neck tumors. For T3/T4 tumors, DNA ploidy is an important tumor characteristic: G1- and S-phase fractions, labeling index, and tumor doubling time Tpot differences were statistically significant; the aneuploid tumors showed the largest proliferative potential.


CONCLUSIONS
(1) In general, no significant differences in proliferation parameters were observed with respect to site of origin. (2) Aneuploid head and neck tumors have a higher proliferative capacity than diploid ones, they might benefit most from accelerated irradiation.
Struikmans
H
H
University Medical Centre, Department of Radiotherapy, Q00.118, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Kal
H B
HB
Hordijk
G J
GJ
van der Tweel
I
I
D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001973:Bromodeoxyuridine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008940:Mitotic Index; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011003:Ploidies; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage
D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; D001973:Bromodeoxyuridine