Prognostic indicators for hypopharyngeal cancer

为了阐明下咽癌全器官组织中癌侵袭的局部特征，1)E-钙粘素和β-连环蛋白的染色，2)神经白细胞和DJ-1m RNA的表达，3)层粘连蛋白-5 y2链的表达。1)E-钙粘连蛋白和β-连环蛋白在软骨侵袭的肿瘤边缘和侵袭前沿表达降低。这一事实表明，癌症组织中的活性和侵袭力增加，特别是在这些部位。染色能力与预后无明显相关性。2)神经白细胞和DJ-1基因表达的染色能力增强。3)层粘连蛋白-5是目前最有希望的因子。在下咽癌中，细胞黏附分子结合H-E染色的全器官连续切片所得出的预后因素变得非常有用。为了充分阐明下咽癌的肿瘤行为，还需要进一步的研究，包括其他的形态发生调控因子。

To elucidate the topical features of cancer invasion within the whole-organ sections of hypopharyngeal cancers, stainability of 1) E-cadherin and β-catenin, 2) Neuroleukin and DJ-1 mRNA expression, and 3) Laminin-5 y2 chain expression were analyzed.1) Reduced expression of E-cadherin and β-catenin was observed at the tumor edge of cartilage invasion and at the invasive front. This fact suggested an increased activity and invasiveness occurred in the cancer tissues especially at these sites. Stainability did not significantly correlate with prognosis.2) Increased stainability was observed in Neuroleukin and DJ-1 mRNA expressions. Further improvement of staining method should be contemplated.3) Laminin-5 is the most promising factor at this point. Increased stainability was observed at invasive front and did correlate well with prognosis.Cell adhesion molecules became much useful when combined with the prognostic factors elicited from H-E stained whole-organ serial sections in hypopharyngeal cancers. Further investigations, including other morphogenetic regulators, will be needed to fully elucidate the tumor behavior of hypopharyngeal cancer.