Prognostic Significance of Ki-67 Index and Expression of Cyclin D1 in Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Larynx and Hypopharynx

So, Sang Hoon; Song, Byung Chul; Jung, Yin Gyo; Rho, Young Soo; Lim, Hyun Joon; Kim, Duck Hwan

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Various host and tumor parameters, particularly by the tumor size and lymph node metastasis have been studied in an attempt to evaluate and decide the optimal treatment of the patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. However, it has been necessary that the prognostic parameters can be useful to evaluate the biological behaviors of the malignancy. The Ki-67 is a proliferative marker of tumor cells and cyclin D1 is a cell cycle regulator essential for G1 phase progression. Loss of regulation of cyclin D1 is likely to contribute to tumor development. The author evaluated the prognostic significance of cyclin D1 and Ki-67 in the carcinoma of larynx and hypopharynx to determine the relationship with the various clinicopathological parameters.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Paraffin embedded tissue specimens from 40 cases of squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx and hypopharynx were studied by immunohistochemical method using the Ki-67 and cyclin D1 antibody. K1-67 index and expression of cyclin D1 were compared with the recurrence, survival rate, disease free time and other clinicopathological parameters such as, primary site, pathologic differentiation, tumor stage and lymph node metastasis.
RESULTS
The higher Ki-67 index was significantly correlated with poorer pathologic differentiation, and shorter disease free time. But there was no significant correlation between over expression of cyclin D1 and any factor for the head and neck cancer. However, the expression of cyclin D1 had a significant positive relationship with Ki-67 index (p<0.05).
CONCLUSION
Ki-67 index is a good prognostic factors and cyclin D1 may be important in tumorigenesis for squamous cell cancer of the larynx and hypopharynx.