The role of chromosomal aberrations in premalignant and malignant lesions in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

The objectives of this study are to uncover the molecular mechanisms involved in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) pathogenesis by studying the chromosomal aberrations in both premalignant and malignant patients and to highlight the genotype of HNSCC in Upper Egypt. From March 2001 to December 2003, prospective study was conducted in 41 patients with precancerous, 79 patients with cancerous laryngeal, oesophageal, nasopharyngeal, nasal, and oral lesions and 50 controls in ENT department, Sohag Faculty of Medicine, Sohag, Egypt. Samples taken by punch biopsy were frozen and stored at -80 degrees C and were subjected to histopathological examination. Metaphase cells were digitally imaged and karyotyped. Karyotypes have been analysed via anatomical image capture and compared with standard human chromosome ideograms. In precancerous lesions, there were 41% 3p loss, 51% 3q gain, 29% 8q gain, and 22% 11q13 gain. In malignant lesions, there were 63% 3p13-p24 loss, 59.5% 5q12-23 loss, 49.5% 8p22-p23 loss, 45.5% 9p21-p24 loss, 40.5% 18q22-q23 loss, 66% 3q gain, 39% 8q gain, and 16% 11q13 gain. In conclusion, early diagnosis of HNSCC can be achieved by DNA extraction from suspicious lesions in high-risk groups (smokers and alcoholics) and examination of chromosomal aberrations of 3p, 3q, 8q, and 11q13. If there are high percent of chromosomal aberrations in these chromosomes, active intervention should be done (chemoprevention and regular follow-up of head and neck examination for very early detection and management).