Epithelial membrane antigen and S-100 protein-labeled cells in primary and metastatic laryngeal carcinomas.

Immunohistochemical studies were done on the expression of S-100 protein-labeled cells in human laryngeal carcinoma of epithelial membrane antigen (EMA) and on the population density. EMA was detected in 65 of 76 (86%) squamous cell carcinomas and was usually more extensively positive in well and moderately differentiated carcinomas. Thus, EMA can serve as a marker of malignancy in laryngeal carcinomas. The population density of S-100 protein-labeled cells was high in well-differentiated tissues. In the metastatic tumors, the number of S-100 protein-labeled cells decreased as compared to findings in the primary tumors. As a statistically significant difference in survival curve was noted between groups with low and intermediate density of S-100 protein-labeled cells, the infiltration of S-100 protein-labeled cells seems to be associated with a better prognosis.