RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Expression of mutant p53 has been observed in a variety of human cancers, including head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and carcinoma of breast, colon, esophagus, lung, stomach, liver, thyroid, etc. OBJECTIVES: To establish expression frequency of p53 and correlation between p53 expression and clinicopathologic data in squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fresh tissue samples were obtained from 66 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck undergoing biopsy or surgery. Expression of mutant p53 was evaluated by immunohistochemical staining with anti-p53 monoclonal antibody in 66 paraffin-embedded tissues of squamous cell carcinoma in head and neck. The studies consisted of 13 cases of oral carcinoma including tongue, 10 cases of pharyngeal carcinoma and 43 cases of laryngeal carcinoma. RESULTS: 1) The frequency of p53 expression in squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck was 48.5%((31/66). 2) The frequency of p53 expression by tumor site was 42.6%(6/13) in oral cavity, 60%(6/10) in pharynx and 44.2%(19/43) in larynx. 3) A positive relationship was seen between p53 expression and lymphnode metastasis, representing 69.2% p53 expression in metastasis group and 16.7% p53 in non-metastasis group. CONCLUSION: Author was suggested that p53 expression in squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck was related to tumor progression and metastasis.