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Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor in Undifferentiated Carcinoma of the Nasopharynx
Author(s) -
Leong JernLin,
Loh Kwok Seng,
Putti Thomas Choudhary,
Goh Boon Cher,
Tan Luke Kim Siang
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1097/00005537-200401000-00029
Subject(s) - epidermal growth factor receptor , medicine , immunohistochemistry , metastasis , oncology , pathology , carcinoma , receptor , cancer
Objectives To determine the expression levels of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and its prognostic value in undifferentiated carcinoma (UC) of the nasopharynx. Study Design A prospective study of 75 patients diagnosed with UC over a 4‐year period in a tertiary care hospital. Materials and Methods Postnasal space biopsies were obtained and processed, and immunohistochemical staining was performed. The over‐expression of EGFR was measured, and the expression levels were statistically analyzed with the clinical and pathologic variables. Disease‐free and overall survival analyses were performed. Results There were 62 (82.7%) specimens that showed over‐expression of EGFR levels. Over‐expression of EGFR correlated significantly only with primary tumor size ( P = .007). Age, sex, positive smoking and family history, presence of nodal metastasis, distant metastasis, and Epstein‐Barr virus serology titers were not significantly correlated with over‐expression of EGFR. Both 54‐month disease‐free and 56‐month overall survivals were not associated with EGFR over‐expression. Conclusion The frequency of over‐expression of EGFR in UC is similar to other squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the head and neck region. Only primary tumor size is independently correlated with over‐expression of EGFR. EGFR over‐expression does not affect disease‐free and overall survival.