Prognostic significance of Langerhans cell infiltration in cancer of the larynx.
OBJECTIVE
Determine the effect on prognosis of Langerhans cell infiltration in cancer of the larynx.


METHODS
Retrospective review of 72 surgically treated patients with T1-3 lesions. The streptavidin-biotin method to determine Langerhans cell infiltration, which was graded as 1+, 2+, and 3+.


RESULTS
A higher degree of Langerhans cell infiltration was significantly associated with less cervical lymph node metastasis, longer disease-free survival, less locoregional recurrence, and less clinical N-positivity ( P < 0.05). According to multivariant analysis, Langerhans cell infiltration was independently related to disease-free survival and recurrence ( P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Langerhans cell infiltration is prognostically important in cancer of the larynx. More intense infiltration is significantly related to prolonged disease-free survival, less locoregional recurrence, less cervical lymph node metastasis, and less clinical N-positivity.


CONCLUSIONS
Langerhans cell infiltration may be determined on a biopsy specimen and this information may be useful in deciding about elective neck dissection. Patients with mild infiltration may have a higher risk of locoregional recurrence, shorter disease-free survival, and therefore they suggest a poor prognosis.
Yilmaz
Taner
T
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey. taneryilmaz@yahoo.com
Gedikoglu
Gökhan
G
Celik
Arzu
A
Onerci
Metin
M
Turan
Ergin
E
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D002452:Cell Count; D006801:Humans; D007801:Langerhans Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate