[Amplification of C-myc oncogene in squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx]

C-myc amplification in 22 squamous cell carcinomas and 10 normal tissues (control) from the larynx was assessed by dot hybridization technique. Significant amplification of C-myc oncogene was found in malignant tumours as compared with the normal tissues. The extent of amplification also correlated with advanced tumour stages. There was a significant increase in C-myc amplification in TNM stages III and IV when compared with the stages I and II. These data suggested that C-myc oncogene might be activated by gene amplification and it might have a key role in determining the aggressiveness of laryngeal carcinoma.