Mutant p53 and cyclin A1 protein expression in primary laryngeal squamous cell carcinomas do not correlate to second primary tumours of the head and neck

Background: Field cancerization is a feature of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. No biological marker in the index tumour has been correlated to the development of second primary tumours (SPT). Cyclin A1 is a cell cycle regulator and a downstream target of p53. This study assessed predictive correlation of cyclin A1 and mut-p53 with clinicopathological parameters and occurrence of (SPT) 7in the head and neck. Methods: Using immunohistochemistry 106 patients treated for primary laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma were investigated for expression of cyclin A1 and mut-p53. Results: Expression of cyclin A1 and mut-p53 were noted in 83 of 106 (78.3%) and 25 of 106 (23.6%) patients. There was a weak but significant correlation between mut-p53 and cyclin A1 (r = 0.301, P = 0.002) expression. During the follow-up period (median 41.0 months (range 1-205 months)), 21 of 106 (19.8%) patients developed an SPT. There was no statistically significant correlation between the markers investigated and disease recurrence, SPT diagnosis or clinicopathological parameters. Conclusion: Second primary tumours are an intriguing problem in treatment of HNSCC and a predictive marker identifying those greatest at risk would be a leap forward.