In order to verify the hypothesized hormone sensibility of the laryngeal carcinoma, we evaluated the level of steroid receptors in this type of neoplasm and correlated this datum with common pathological and clinical prognostic indices. Estrogen and progesterone receptors were evaluated in 105 patients with a squamous cell carcinoma and 2 patients with a mucoepidermoid laryngeal carcinoma. Receptors for androgens and glucocorticoids were evaluated in 35 patients (all with a squamous cell carcinoma). Dosage was performed on fresh neoplastic tissue using the DCC (Dextran Coated Charcoal) method. Estrogen receptors were present in 26 cases (24.3%); progesterone receptors were present in 18 cases (16.8%); both receptors were revealed in 8 patients (7.5%). Androgen receptors were evident in 4 patients (4/35, 11.4%); glucocorticoid receptors were evident in 7 patients (7/35, 20%); both receptors were revealed in 4 (11.4%) cases. No statistical difference with regard to grading, site and extension of the cancer, extralaryngeal tissue involvement or node metastasis was noted in the groups of patients with or without steroid receptors.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[The prognostic significance of the extralaryngeal microscopic extension of a T3 glottic carcinoma].

Incidence of microscopic infiltration of the laryngeal framework, with or without extra-laryngeal extension, was studied retrospectively in a series of 63 patients treated surgically for glottic T3 carcinomas in order to establish prognostic values. The results of histopathological examination revealed neoplastic invasion of the fibro-cartilaginous skeleton in 46 of the patients examined and in half of these microscopic diffusion in peri-laryngeal tissue. As far as prognosis is concerned, there was a clear-cut correlation between a decrease in survival rates and a contemporaneous increase in the real extension of the neoplasia, even if microscopic. In fact the NED survival rate of confirmed T3 patients was 85% while in cases reclassified as pT4, it was 64% and 47% on the basis on the absence or presence of extra-laryngeal extension. With these observations it is possible to affirm that the major staging is also attributable to cases with initial infiltration of the "laryngeal framework" without an extensive extension toward peri-laryngeal tissue. As far as T recurrences are concerned, a high incidence of relapse of the neoplasia was observed principally in the cases with extra-cartilaginous diffusion. This observation may have a predictive role and therefore direct post-surgery follow-up as well as eventual complementary treatment.

Carcinoma↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Cathepsin D in laryngeal carcinoma. preliminary report.

The biological activity of tumor cells seems to be related to some peptides produced in the same neoplastic cytoplasms. Cathepsin D is considered one of these proteins, which is able to promote mitosis and tumor invasion. The effects of cathepsin D have been studied in tumors of the breast, ovary and endometrium, and in few cases of laryngeal cancer. Using an immunohistochemical method, we have attempted to evaluate cathepsin D expression in 17 cases of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma in comparison with the presence of the same protein in the adjacent normal laryngeal mucosa and in inflammatory cells surrounding the tumor. In 11 cases, cathepsin D was present in more than 50% of neoplastic cells, in 4 cases positive cells were 30-50% of all neoplastic cells, in the last 2 cases less than 30% of neoplastic cells expressed the antigen. In normal respiratory epithelium the expression of cathepsin D was limited to the apex of cells. In flat metaplastic epithelium, we observed a positive reaction of basal and parabasal cells. Such positivity became diffuse to all cellular layers in dysplastic foci. A minimal positivity was also detected in salivary glands and ducts. A strong positivity was present in macrophages around and among tumor cells. Our findings suggest that cathepsin D plays a role in cancerogenesis and growth of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma. The expression of cathepsin D also in normal and inflammatory cells may influence the quantitation of this antigen in studies in which cytosolic levels of cathepsin D are measured after protein extraction.

Aged↗