title: Markers for nodal metastasis in head and neck squamous cell cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify markers that are relevant as predictors of lymph node metastasis in head and neck squamous cell cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Expression of p53, Rb, cyclin D1, E-cadherin, and epithelial cell adhesion molecule was examined using immunohistochemical analysis and traditional histological parameters, and the correlation of these markers with the histologically verified presence of regional metastases was determined.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study sample comprised 121 patients with head and neck squamous cell cancer from whom paraffin-embedded material of primary tumors was used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Lymph node metastasis was correlated with the loss of expression of Rb (P =.04) and marginally correlated with the loss of expression of E-cadherin (P =.06). If the results are broken down to subsites, loss of E-cadherin expression in oral cancer (P =.04) and absence of eosinophilic infiltration in laryngeal cancer (P =.003) correlated with nodal metastasis. None of the other markers correlated. A combination of relevant parameters did not result in a much stronger correlation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The expression of the investigated genetic markers and histopathological features of primary tumors can supply limited information on the metastatic behavior of tumors. Although the use of markers for regional metastasis would be a welcome additional tool, these results do not warrant the use of these parameters for clinical decision making concerning the treatment of the neck in patients with head and neck squamous cell cancer.
authors: Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital, Leiden, the Netherlands. r.takes@kno.azn.nl
authors: Robert P
authors: RP
authors: Takes
authors: Robert J
authors: RJ
authors: Baatenburg De Jong
authors: Martijn J R C
authors: MJ
authors: Alles
authors: Cees A
authors: CA
authors: Meeuwis
authors: Henri A M
authors: HA
authors: Marres
authors: Paul P M
authors: PP
authors: Knegt
authors: Guy Brutel
authors: GB
authors: De La Riviere
authors: Peter C M
authors: PC
authors: De Wilde
authors: Wolter J
authors: WJ
authors: Mooi
authors: Jo
authors: J
authors: Hermans
authors: J Han J M
authors: JH
authors: Van Krieken
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000378:metabolism*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism*; D015820:Cadherins / Q000378:metabolism; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000378:metabolism; D019938:Cyclin D1 / Q000378:metabolism; D000071858:Epithelial Cell Adhesion Molecule; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016160:Retinoblastoma Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D015820:Cadherins; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D000071858:Epithelial Cell Adhesion Molecule; D016160:Retinoblastoma Protein; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53; D019938:Cyclin D1