Fieldcancerisation in the upper aerodigestive tract detected with the micronucleus assay

Citation
M. Bloching et al., Fieldcancerisation in the upper aerodigestive tract detected with the micronucleus assay, HNO, 48(6), 2000, pp. 444-450
Citations number
27
Categorie Soggetti
Otolaryngology
Journal title
HNO
ISSN journal
00176192 → ACNP
Volume
48
Issue
6
Year of publication
2000
Pages
444 - 450
Database
ISI
SICI code
0017-6192(200006)48:6<444:FITUAT>2.0.ZU;2-E
Abstract
A lot of different endogenous and exogenous factors are accused to promote squamous cell carcinomas in the upper aerodigestive tract. Main risk factor s are the chronic tobacco- and alkohol consumption. The fact,that many pati ents develop syn- or metachronic carcinomas in this area was first describe d by Slaughter et al. 1953 and explained with the phenomenon of field cance risation. Concerning to this hypothesis the whole mucosa of the upper aerod igestive-tract is premalignant damaged. In our study the micronucleus-frequ ency was determined as a biomarker for the genetic injury to prove the fiel d cancerisation on the cellular level at 159 people (control-group, abuser, patients with HNSCC). Our results confirm the hypothesis of field-canceris ation of the mucosa of the upper aerodigestiv-tract at strong tobacco- and alkohol consumers and patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Furthermore there is a highly statistically significant correlation between increasing micronucleus frequency and increasing tobacco abuse. As a final result of our study the micronucleus assay seems to be of good value to sh ow a genotoxic damage in healthy mucosa at people with a high risk to devel op HNSCC, but it's not usable to give any answer if and when such carcinoma s arise.