THE KAMBIC-GALE METHOD OF ASSESSMENT OF EPITHELIAL HYPERPLASTIC LESIONS OF THE LARYNX IN COMPARISON WITH THE DYSPLASIA GRADE METHOD

Sections of vocal cord biopsies from 47 cases in whom had been previou sly assessed by a dysplasia grading system at from I to III, were recl assified according to the Ljubljana system. The majority of the Grade I lesions were reclassified as ''non-risky'', but a small number were put into the risky or even carcinoma in situ groups. While most of the Grade III cases were reclassified as ''risky'' there were a few who w ere assigned to a non-risky category. It is suggested that with the Lj ubljana histological grading system a more clear-cut separation of cas es with risk of developing vocal cord malignancy from those with no su ch risk, is possible. Attention is drawn to a lesion denoted as ''larg e cell hyperplasia'', which is not covered in the grading or Ljubljana categorization of vocal cord lesions. The malpighian cells in this le sion are enlarged to over 30 mu m in diameter, and show prominent nucl eoli; apoptotic cells are prominent. Evidence is presented that this m ay be a categoral risk for the development of malignant changes.