Clinical and immunohistochemical study
of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in Greek patients
Batistatou A., Giannatos D., Stefanou D., Dimou S., Agnantis N.J.
Department of Pathology, University of Ioannina Medical School
Aim: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is a malignant neoplasm with characteristic racial and geographic distribution. Its development involves cumulative genetic and epigenetic changes in a background of genetic and environmental factors. The aim of this study was to examine the epidemiological characteristics and clinical course and to investigate predisposing and environmental factors for the development of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in Greek patients, as well as to correlate this malignancy with the expression of oncoproteins p21 ras, p53, c-erb-B2, and proliferation index Êi67.
Materials and methods: We present a retrospective study in 81 patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma regarding the analysis of the clinical course of the disease after appropriate therapy and in 42 patients regarding the immunohistochemical expression of ras p21, p53, c-erb-B2 and Êi67.
Results-Conclusions: Smoking, positive family history and diet do not appear to be predisposing factors for the development of nasoparyngeal carcinoma in Greek patients. The patients who have been treated for nasopharyngeal carcinoma have higher 5- and 10-year survival rates compared with patients of Southeast Asia, where most studies have been conducted. Younger patients and females have higher survival rates than older patients and males. Immunohistochemical staining for oncoproteins ras p21, p53, c-erb-B2 and for Êi67 exhibited reduced intensity, compared with the international literature data. This fact could account for the better prognosis of Greek patients. This hypothesis must be substantiated with larger series of patients, however this is difficult due to the rarity of this malignancy in Greece.
Key words: Nasopharynx, ras p21, p53, c-erb-B2, ki67.
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