HLA-DR expression is a significant prognostic factor in laryngeal cancer. A morphometric study.

HLA-DR antigen expression in tumour cells was investigated in 68 laryngeal carcinomas. The tissue sections were studied by a morphometric method using a computer image analysis system. Although the highest number of HLA-DR-positive cells was observed in the groups with the lowest clinical stage, these differences did not reach statistical significance. Analysis of survival showed a significantly different survival time of patients classified as HLA-DR positive (10% and more HLA-DR+tumour cells) compared to those classified as HLA-DR negative. There were no significant differences in survival times between patients with glottic and extraglottic cancers, or between patients with various grades of histological malignancy.