[Evaluation of e-cadherin and its correlation with lymphatic metastasis and tumor grade in laryngeal SCC]

ABSTRACT

Lymphatic metastasis is a determining factor in treatment modality selection and prognosis of laryngeal cancer. It occurs because of separation of tumor cell from primary foci and deposition in lymphatic nodules which in turn occurs because of weakening of cell-cell adhesion. E-cadherin is a cellular adhesion molecule. Abnormal expression of this molecule may lead intercellular connection weakening and following metastasis. In this study we assess the correlation of abnormal expression of this molecule and metastasis. It is done as a prospective study on 47 proved laryngeal cancer. Initially, samples are divided into metastatic and non metastatic group. In next step, Immunohistochemistry was done to show E-cadherin expression. It was done as a blind study. In this study we use from a scoring system in order to convert qualitative data to semi quantitative ones. From total 47 cases, 21 case were metastatic and 26 cases were non metastatic. Nearly 70% had altered E-cadherin expression. We found significant statistical correlation between Abnormal expression of E-cadherin and tumor grade and metastasis P=0.000 and P=0.002, respectively. Also, tumor grade and metastasis had significant correlation. Abnormal expression of E-cadherin is a common finding among laryngeal cancers. It is directly related to metastasis and tumor grade. So, it can be used as predicting marker in order to choose more-aggressive treatment modality to improve prognosis and probably survival