Prognostic significance of Langerhans cell infiltration in cancer of the larynx

• Published in: Otolaryngology-head and neck surgery Vol. 132; no. 2; p. 309
• Main Authors: Yilmaz, Taner, Gedikoglu, Gökhan, Celik, Arzu, Onerci, Metin, Turan, Ergin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01.02.2005
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - mortality; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - pathology; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - surgery; Cell Count; Humans; Langerhans Cells - physiology; Laryngeal Neoplasms - mortality; Laryngeal Neoplasms - pathology; Laryngeal Neoplasms - surgery; Lymphatic Metastasis; Male; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Neoplasm Staging; Prognosis; Retrospective Studies; Survival Rate
• ISSN: 0194-5998
• DOI: 10.1016/j.otohns.2004.04.018

Determine the effect on prognosis of Langerhans cell infiltration in cancer of the larynx. Retrospective review of 72 surgically treated patients with T1-3 lesions. The streptavidin-biotin method to determine Langerhans cell infiltration, which was graded as 1+, 2+, and 3+. A higher degree of Langerhans cell infiltration was significantly associated with less cervical lymph node metastasis, longer disease-free survival, less locoregional recurrence, and less clinical N-positivity ( P < 0.05). According to multivariant analysis, Langerhans cell infiltration was independently related to disease-free survival and recurrence ( P < 0.05). Langerhans cell infiltration is prognostically important in cancer of the larynx. More intense infiltration is significantly related to prolonged disease-free survival, less locoregional recurrence, less cervical lymph node metastasis, and less clinical N-positivity. Langerhans cell infiltration may be determined on a biopsy specimen and this information may be useful in deciding about elective neck dissection. Patients with mild infiltration may have a higher risk of locoregional recurrence, shorter disease-free survival, and therefore they suggest a poor prognosis.