Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Determine the effect on prognosis of Langerhans cell infiltration in cancer of the larynx.
STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: 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+.
RESULTS: 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).
CONCLUSIONS: 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.
SIGNIFICANCE: 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.
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