P53 GENE-MUTATIONS AS MARKERS OF TUMOR SPREAD IN SYNCHRONOUS ORAL CANCERS

Objective: To demonstrate how genetic mutations may be used as specifi c markers for the study and management of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas. Design: Mutations in the p53 gene were identified by DNA s equencing in synchronous primary head and neck squamous cell carcinoma s from one patient. The polymerase chain reaction and mutant-specific oligomer probes were used to detect rare tumor cells in surgical margi ns, lymph nodes, and swabs of the oral cavity. Patient: Selected from a consecutive series of individuals with head and neck squamous cell c arcinomas at a tertiary referral center. Results: Two synchronous prim ary invasive cancers displayed different missense mutations in the p53 gene. The mutated sequence from one primary tumor was detected in met astases from both sides of the neck. Infiltrating cells from this biol ogically aggressive tumor were also detected by a polymerase chain rea ction-based assay in a histologically normal surgical margin, accurate ly predicting tumor recurrence. Conclusions: p53 gene mutations were u seful as molecular markers to distinguish between tumors in this case. The potential utility of detection of tumor cells in surgical margins and saliva by molecular techniques merits further investigation.