Significance of p53 and bcl-2 immunoexpression in the prognosis of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma

This study was undertaken to determine whether p53 or bcl-2 immunoexpression has any significance in the prognosis of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Eighty-four cases of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma at different pathological stages and locations were studied. All patients were treated surgically first, and followed up for 6 - 96 months (mean, 35 months). p53 and bcl-2 immunoexpression in tumour cells, evaluated by image analysis and histoscore, were found in 71.4% and 46.4% of tumours, respectively. Glottic location was correlated with significantly longer survival than tumours at other locations. Pathological stage and histological grade of tumour were also significant predictors of survival. Neither p53 nor bcl-2 immunoexpression was found to be predictive of post-operative survival. Only transglottic tumours expressed significantly high levels of bcl-2. Both methods used to evaluate p53 and bcl-2 immunoexpression correlated well with each other. This study suggests that immunoexpression of p53 and bcl-2 is not a significant prognostic predictor in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma.