Predictive value of the fraction of cancer cells immunolabeled for proliferating cell nuclear antigen or Ki67 in biopsies of head and neck carcinomas to identify lymph node metastasis: comparison with clinical and radiologic examinations.
BACKGROUND
Neck metastasis is a major prognostic factor of head and neck carcinoma, but its preoperative detection is currently unreliable. Molecular markers of the metastatic potential of a carcinoma would help to avoid unnecessary neck dissection in patients with nonmetastatic cancer.


METHODS
The fractions of cancer cells immunostained for proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and Ki67 were determined in 80 preoperative biopsy specimens of head and neck carcinomas. The value of both indexes to detect metastasis in the subsequent neck dissection was compared with that of the clinical and radiologic examinations.


RESULTS
PCNA and Ki67 indexes correlated with neck metastasis. Cutoff points were determined for both indexes to discriminate metastatic from nonmetastatic carcinomas. By multivariate logistic regression, these indexes were significant predictors of metastases, together with clinical T stage and neck palpation.


CONCLUSIONS
The fraction of cancer cells immunolabeled for PCNA or Ki67 in preoperative biopsy specimens is helpful to predict neck metastasis.
Liu
Ming
M
Department of ENT and Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital of Mont-Godinne, Yvoir, B-5530, Belgium.
Lawson
Georges
G
Delos
Monique
M
Jamart
Jacques
J
Ide
Christophe
C
Coche
Emmanuel
E
Weynand
Birgit
B
Desuter
Gauthier
G
Hamoir
Marc
M
Remacle
Marc
M
Marbaix
Etienne
E
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology / Q000556:secondary*; D002458:Cell Fractionation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen / Q000276:immunology*; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D010610:Pharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D018809:Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen / Q000276:immunology*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D036542:Tomography, Spiral Computed
D019394:Ki-67 Antigen; D018809:Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen