Prognostic value of the expression of p53 and bcl-2 in patients with laryngeal carcinoma.

Previous studies have yielded inconsistent results on the prognostic significance of p53 and bcl-2 in head and neck cancer. The aim of this study was the evaluation of p53 and bcl-2 protein expression in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma and to clarify the relationship between them. All patients with laryngeal carcinoma were treated during the period 1991-1993. In the present study p53 and bcl-2 expression in paraffin sections from 50 cases of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma were analysed and correlated with routine clinico-pathological parameters. The expressions of p53 and bcl-2 were examined by immunohistochemical staining. Immunoreactivity for p53 was observed in 45 (90%) of carcinomas and bcl-2 immunoreactivity in 7 (14%). No significant correlation between the p53 or bcl-2 expression and patients' T- or N-stage, histological grading, or overall survival was found.