BASIC FIBROBLAST GROWTH-FACTOR IN SERUM AND URINE OF PATIENTS WITH HEAD AND NECK-CANCER

Between 1996 and 1997 serum and urine levels of basic fibroblast growt h factor (b-FGF) in patients with head and neck cancer were measured t o answear the following questions: i) Are increased levels of b-FGF in serum and urine detectable inpatients with malignant head and neck tu mors? ii) Do these parameters correlate with tumor stage and different iation of tumors? iii) Is there an association between growth behaviou r (local or metastatic growth) and b-FGF levels in serum and/or urine? Eighty-nine patients with head and neck cancer as well as 45 patients with diseases unrelated to cancer were investigated. Detectable level s of b-FGF were found in the serum and urine of patients with malignan t head and neck tumors. In addition, there was a significant correlati on between tumor size and b-FGF levels in either serum or urine. No as sociation of b-FGF concentrations with degree of histologic differenti ation and tumor growth behaviour was observed. The results of this stu dy demonstrate that b-FGF levels are elevated in serum and urine of pa tients with head and neck cancer. These findings suggest an involvemen t of b-FGF in the formation of solid tumors.