Expression of epidermal growth factor receptor in glottic carcinoma and its relation to recurrence after radiotherapy

The expression of EGFR was determined immunohistochemically in two groups of patients with glottic carcinoma, one that recurred after a full course of radiotherapy and one that did not. Using a 4-graded scale (-,+,++, ) 80% (12/15) of the recurrent carcinomas had a staining intensity and proportion of stained cells of ++ or more. The same figure for non-recurrent carcinomas was 39% (7/18). The difference is statistically significant (chi-squared with Yates' correction, P less than 0.05). The results indicate that an increased expression of EGFR may influence the rate of recurrence of glottic squamous cell carcinoma after radiotherapy.