title: Prognostic significance of Ki-67 in salivary gland carcinomas.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Salivary gland carcinomas are a heterogeneous group of tumors with varying malignant potential. In this study, we evaluated the proliferative marker Ki-67 in salivary gland carcinomas and related the Ki-67 index to clinical data.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 176 salivary gland carcinomas of 13 different subtypes were stained immunohistochemically for Ki-67. The number of Ki-67 positive cells was counted and the Ki-67 index was calculated as the percentage of positive tumor cells.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The Ki-67 median value was 26 (range 1-99). The median follow-up time was 6.9 years (range 0-19 years). The 5- and 10-year crude survival was 70% and 59%, respectively. In univariate analysis, Ki-67 index, stage, vascular invasion and tumor grade were significantly related to crude survival, but in multivariate analysis only Ki-67 index, age, and stage were independent prognostic factors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We showed that irrespective of subtyping, grading or morphological appearance of tumor, the Ki-67 index is an important and independent prognosticator. Clinical and histo-pathological data must be considered, when planning the treatment of the individual patient. We have shown that besides stage and age of the patient, Ki-67 is a strong, independent prognostic factor.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Odense University Hospital, Denmark. srlarsen@dadlnet.dk
authors.forename: Stine Rosenkilde
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Larsen
authors.forename: Kristine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bjørndal
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Godballe
authors.forename: Annelise
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Krogdahl
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000473:pathology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000473:pathology*; D003528:Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic / Q000473:pathology; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology; D002648:Child; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen / Q000032:analysis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D060787:Neoplasm Grading; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010307:Parotid Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D011379:Prognosis; D012468:Salivary Gland Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D012470:Salivary Glands, Minor / Q000473:pathology; D013365:Submandibular Gland Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen