TNF-α evaluation in tonsil cancer

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Immunology
• Pathology

Background:

• Squamous cell tonsil carcinoma is the predominant oropharyngeal cancer, often diagnosed late due to subtle symptoms.
• Late-stage diagnosis is common, with tumors invading surrounding tissues and metastasizing to lymph nodes.
• Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) is a key inflammation mediator implicated in cancer development and progression.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare serum TNF-α levels in patients with tonsil cancer versus chronic tonsillitis.
• To investigate the role of mastocytes and macrophages in tonsil lesions.
• To assess the impact of radiotherapy on TNF-α levels in tonsil cancer patients.

Main Methods:

• Serum samples were analyzed for TNF-α levels in tonsil cancer and chronic tonsillitis groups.
• Histological examination assessed mastocyte and macrophage density in tonsil lesions.
• TNF-α levels were monitored in patients undergoing radiotherapy.

Main Results:

• Serum TNF-α levels were markedly higher in tonsil carcinoma patients (1000–2000 pg/mL) than in chronic tonsillitis patients (10–200 pg/mL).
• Severely advanced or poorly differentiated tonsil carcinomas showed extremely high TNF-α levels (2000–4000 pg/mL).
• No significant differences in macrophage and mast cell density were found between the two groups.

Conclusions:

• Elevated serum TNF-α is a potential biomarker for squamous cell tonsil carcinoma.
• Radiotherapy may reduce or normalize elevated TNF-α levels in tonsil cancer.
• While TNF-α is elevated, inflammatory cell infiltration (macrophages, mast cells) did not differ significantly between cancer and chronic tonsillitis lesions.