Genetic differences between primary larynx and pharynx carcinomas and their matched lymph node metastases by multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification.

Lymph nodes metastasis is a major risk factor related to poor survival in larynx and pharynx carcinomas. The aim of this study is to search for markers of lymph node involvement analyzing the genetic differences between primary larynx and pharynx squamous cell carcinomas and their corresponding lymph node metastases. Twenty-five primary tumors and their corresponding lymph node metastases were examined.

Deletions of N33, STK11 and TP53 are involved in the development of lymph node metastasis in larynx and pharynx carcinomas.

Background: Lymph node metastasis is the mayor cause of mortality in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (45%). The genetic changes underlying metastasis are still largely unknown and genetic markers to predict lymph node positivity still need to be found. The aim of this study was to search such markers by using Multiplex Ligation-dependent Probe Amplification (MLPA), a semi-quantitative PCR technique to detect gene copy number alterations.