The expression of EGFR, cerbB2, p16, and p53 and their relationship with conventional parameters in squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx

Background/aim: To investigate the expression of epidermal growth factor receptor¬-HER1 (EGFR), cerbB2 (HER2), p16, and p53, as well as the relationship of the expression of these genes with conventional parameters in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the larynx. Materials and methods: Samples from 92 cases of diagnosed laryngeal SCC between 2001 and 2011 from the Pathology Department of Ministry of Health Ankara Dışkapı Yıldırım Beyazıt Teaching Research Hospital were studied by immunohistochemistry using EGFR, cerbB2, p16, and p53 antibodies. Results: An increase in the TNM stage and pathological tumor size status correlated with an increase in EGFR and cerbB2 expression. In the cases with lymphovascular invasion, the expression was detected at a higher ratio. Cases in which high levels of p16 and p53 expression were observed did not show any lymphovascular invasions. Conclusion: Expressions of p53 and p16 were considered to be most effective in early carcinogenesis stages of laryngeal SCC. In comparison with p53 and p16 expression levels, EGFR and cerbB2 expression levels were observed to be associated with poor prognostic parameters and were higher at later stages of laryngeal carcinogenesis development.