HER2 expression predicts improved survival in patients with cervical node-positive head and neck squamous cell
Gary M Tse1, Kwok Hung Yu, Anthony W H Chan
1Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China. garytse@cuhk.edu.hk
Objective:
To investigate the prognostic value of HER2 and p63 expression in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).
Study Design:
A case review of 186 HNSCCs from the oral tongue, palate, maxillary sinus, floor of mouth, oropharynx, hypopharynx, and larynx.
Subjects And Methods:
All primary tumor specimens were evaluated by immunohistochemistry for HER2 and p63 expressions, which were correlated with clinical parameters including age, sex, grade, lymph node metastases, stage, and survival.
Results:
One hundred forty-one patients had stage III-IV disease and 109 had lymph node metastases. For all cases, T and N stages were significant prognostic predictors for both overall and disease-free survivals. In the node-positive subgroup, T stage and HER2 expression were significant prognostic predictors for both overall and disease-free survivals.
Conclusion:
HER2 may be associated with longer survival in node-positive patients with HNSCC.
