Prognostic value of nucleolar organizer regions in supraglottic carcinoma

The relationship of nucleolar organizer regions (NORs) to proliferative activity and tumor progression was studied in 16 supraglottic carcinomas. The number of NORs stained by a silver colloid staining method (AgNOR staining method) was determined. The mean AgNOR number tended to be higher (but not significantly so) in poorly differentiated tumors. Moreover as T and N categories and stage of the tumor rose, the AgNOR number also rose, but not significantly. More interestingly, the mean AgNOR number was significantly higher in the presence than in the absence of lymph node metastasis. These studies indicate that the AgNOR number might be of clinical value as a predictor of lymph node metastasis of supraglottic carcinomas.