[Oncogenes in squamous epithelial cancers in the area of the head and neck]

Proto-oncogenes are a part of the genetic code of each human cell. Physiologically they code special enzymes, membrane receptors and growth factors which are necessary for cell growth and function. Alterations in these genes like amplification, rearrangements, mutations or chromosomal translocation appeared to be implicated in the induction of neoplasms. So these genes were called "oncogenes". Recent work has shown that increased expression of the c-myc oncogene in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the head and neck is related to advanced SCC stages (TNM). We examined more than fourty human SCC of the head and neck with Southern blot analysis for c-myc amplification and rearrangement. Our preliminary results indicate that c-myc amplification is correlated with advanced tumour stages and highly aggressive tumour behaviour. Patients with c-myc amplification (15%) all show regional lymph node metastasis. No rearrangement has been seen. Further studies must confirm our results and examine whether c-myc amplification is correlated with the biological characteristics of SCC of the head and neck.