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A Model for Perineural Invasion in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Published on: January 5, 2017
Neuroendocrine differentiation in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
V H Schartinger1, C Falkeis, K Laimer
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical University Innsbruck, Austria. volker.schartinger@i-med.ac.at
The Journal of Laryngology and Otology
|October 12, 2012
Summary
Neuroendocrine differentiation markers are sparsely found in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. However, somatostatin receptor expression, especially for somatostatin receptor 5, is common and does not indicate neuroendocrine differentiation in these tumours.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pathology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Neuroendocrine differentiation is common in various tumours, marked by specific protein expression.
- The significance of neuroendocrine differentiation in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and role of neuroendocrine differentiation markers in HNSCC.
- To assess the expression of chromogranin A, synaptophysin, and somatostatin receptors in HNSCC specimens.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemical analysis of 78 HNSCC specimens.
- Detection of chromogranin A, synaptophysin, and somatostatin receptors (SSTR1-5).
- Correlation analysis with tumour stage and patient survival.
Main Results:
- Sparse chromogranin A expression (41%) and low synaptophysin expression (18%) were observed.
- High expression rates for somatostatin receptor 5 (82%), somatostatin receptor 1 (69%), and somatostatin receptor 2 (54%) were found.
- No significant correlation between marker expression, tumour stage, or survival.
Conclusions:
- Neuroendocrine cells are infrequently present in HNSCC, with an unclear pathophysiological role.
- Somatostatin receptor expression, particularly SSTR5, is frequent in HNSCC.
- Somatostatin receptor expression in HNSCC does not signify neuroendocrine differentiation.
