Prognostic evaluation in supracricoid partial laryngectomy with cricohyoidopexy.

Identification of prognostic factors related to supracricoid partial laryngectomy may optimise indications for this surgical technique. We analysed several clinical and histopathological variables in a series of 81 patients treated with SPL at our department. Attention was focused on neoplastic spread of the anterior commissure, thyroid cartilage and prelaryngeal soft tissue of the neck. Statistical analysis (Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression test) showed a significant decrease in survival for prelaryngeal soft tissue invasion. Due to the fact that the survival rate is not modified by the anterior commissure and thyroid cartilage infiltration, the prognostic value of prelaryngeal invasion is extremely relevant. Therefore, we suggest the oncological value of SPL even in cases of invasion of the anterior commissure or thyroid cartilage, but not beyond the outer perichondrium.

CD44 as prognostic factor in oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

This retrospective case control study was conducted to assess the prognostic value of some patient-, tumor-, treatment-related variables, and to correlate markers of primary tumor with survival and cervical metastases. Twenty-five patients with histologically proven squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity and oropharynx were analyzed. Patients were never treated before and had a minimum follow-up review of 45 months. Results show that T-stage is the most important clinical prognostic parameter. Regarding immunohistochemical markers (Ki67 and CD44), only CD44 seems to be significantly correlated with prognosis but this value showed a multicollinear effect with N upon survival. Decreased expression of CD44 correlates with a decreased survival, although increased CD44 expression was consistent with a longer survival. Therefore, it was assessed that a loss of cell adhesion, related to decreased expression of CD44, may be determinant of survival in these patients.