Published in Cancer Detection and Prevention 1997; 21(4):319-325.

Dna Content and Thymidine Labeling Index Correlate with Prognosis in Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Larynx

L Matturri MD^a, B Biondo ScD^a, P Tamplenizza MD^b, A Ottaviani M.D^b, AM Lavezzi MD^a

Address all correspondence and reprint requests to: Luigi Matturi, MD, Institute of Pathology, University of Milan, Via Commenda 19, 20122 Milano, Italy.

ABSTRACT: The prognostic value of proliferative activity was determined in 48 cases of squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx. Tumor samples were obtained during surgery: DNA content was determined by static cytometry with an image analysis program, and cell kinetics were analyzed by the in vitro thymidine labeling index (T-LI). The DNA content analysis visualized a diploid cellular population in 32 cases and an aneuploid cellular population in 16 cases. The DNA content was not significantly related to the sex and the age of the patients or the TN stage of the tumors, but to histological grade (p = 0.03). Similarly significant correlation was found between T-LI and age of the patients, indeed the median value was higher in patients older than 59 (p = 0.024). T-LI was not related to the sex of the patients, or to the histological grade or the TN stage of the tumors. In multivariate analysis, using the Cox model, T-LI was the most important prognostic parameter (p = 0.015), superior to DNA content (p = 0.021) and to TN stage (p = 0.047; p = 0.043). From the data obtained in this study it can be concluded that evaluation of DNA content and thymidine labeling index in squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx may be new independent parameters of prognosis an may contribute to optimal and individualized therapy.

KEY WORDS: carcinoma of the larynx, DNA content, prognosis, thymidine labeling index.

http://www.cancerprev.org/Journal/Issues/21/4/204