Prognostic factors in supraglottic squamous cell carcinoma

To establish its prognostic value in supraglottic squamous cell carcinoma p roliferative activity, the usefulness of Ki67 and p53 protein expression by immunohistochemistry and of DNA ploidy by image analysis was studied in 41 patients who were treated with a partial horizontal laryngectomy and had a mean follow-up of 4 years. Histologically 24% were well differentiated, 44 % moderately, and 32% poorly differentiated. No correlation was found betwe en clinical stage, histologic differentiation, and survival. Ln 29 cases (7 1%) p53 staining was observed (mean score 32%). There was a statistically s ignificant correlation between p53 and histologic differentiation (p=0.03), clinical stage (p=0.01), and follow-up (p=0.02). Mean proliferation index (Ki67) was 20%. Statistically significant correlation was observed between Ki67 and p53 (p=0.02). All tumors were aneuploid. Correlation between 5c ex ceeding events and follow-up was found (p=0.04). These data suggest that p5 3 overexpression and the presence of 5c exceeding a events provide useful p rognostic information concerning behavior of supraglottic squamous cell car cinoma.