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Squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsillar region and the base of the tongue: a morphological and immunohistochemical comparative pilot study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 June 2007

Sanja Mak-Kregar ,
Wolter J. Mooi ,
Alfons J. M. Balm  and
Frans J. M. Hilgers
Sanja Mak-Kregar
Affiliation:
Departments of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, The Netherlands Cancer Institute
Wolter J. Mooi
Affiliation:
Departments of Otolaryngology/Head and Pathology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute
Alfons J. M. Balm
Affiliation:
Departments of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, The Netherlands Cancer Institute
Frans J. M. Hilgers*
Affiliation:
Departments of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, The Netherlands Cancer Institute
*
Frans J. M. Hilgers, M.D., Ph.D., Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Plesmanlaan 121, 1066 CX Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Abstract

Sixteen squamous cell carcinomas of the tonsillar region and 13 carcinomas of the base of the tongue were studied in a search for significant differences between the tumours of these two oropharyngeal subsites, which are known to carry a significantly different prognosis. The characteristics of the tumour cells and the tumourhost relationship were scored on H & E-stained slides, as well as on slides stained with a panel of antibodies. The results obtained were cross-tabulated and analysed with respect to the subsite. Ten variables were tested: cytonuclear pleomorphism, mitotic activity, the presence of atypical mitoses, keratinization, tumour grade, presence of eosinophils, severity of inflammatory response, and the expression of keratin-10, blood group antigens and collagen IV. When split up by site, only cytonuclear pleomorphism revealed a significant difference, tonsillar carcinomas more often exhibiting marked pleomorphism (p=0.04).

Despite having some prognostic relevance for squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck, the variables tested could not provide an explanation for the difference in biological behaviour of the tumours studied.

Keywords

Tonsillar carcinomaBase of the tongue carcinomaImmunohistochemistry

Information

Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 107 , Issue 12 , December 1993 , pp. 1129 - 1135
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 1993

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