Ld. Cooke et al., PROSPECTIVE EVALUATION OF CELL-KINETICS IN HEAD AND NECK SQUAMOUS CARCINOMA - THE RELATIONSHIP TO TUMOR FACTORS AND SURVIVAL, British Journal of Cancer, 69(4), 1994, pp. 717-720
Tumour growth rates were measured in 105 patients using in vivo incorp
oration of bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) and investigated for any relations
hip to tumour factors or survival. The median labelling index (LI) was
8.7%, the duration of S-phase (T(S)) was 14 h and the potential doubl
ing time (T(pot)) was 5.9 days. The labelling index in aneuploid tumou
rs was significantly higher than that in diploid tumours. However the
total labelling index (TLI) did not differ significantly between aneup
loid and diploid tumours, and so it would seem likely that the differe
nce in LI is due to the dilutional effect of benign tissue upon the ca
lculation of LI in diploid tumours. The total labelling index, duratio
n of S-phase and potential doubling time were not related to the tumou
r factors examined (site, T stage, N stage, stage grouping). Interim s
urvival analysis was carried out and there was no difference in surviv
al between those patients with high values for TLI, T(S), and T(pot) a
nd those with low values.