Purpose:To investigate the local factors that influenced cervical lymphatic metastasis and prognosis of the floor of mouth carcinoma.Methods:A retrospective study was undertaken of 65 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of floor of mouth, who were treated between 1983 and 1998. Local factors including the tumor location, the tumor size, local invasion and pathological differentiation were investigated for the correlation with cervical lymphatic metastasis and prognosis of the disease.Results:Cervical lymphatic metastasis was 46.2% (30/65) for these 65 patients, and 96.6% of the involved lymph nodes were located in level Ⅰ(submandibular region) of the neck. Of these 65 patients, cervical lymphatic metastasis was 62.2% and 40.0% for 45 anterior and 20 posterior floor of mouth carcinoma, respectively ( P = 0 .096).Cervical metastasis was 59.5% and 21.7% for tumor size greater than or less than 3 cm, respectively ( P = 0.003).Cervical metastasis was 46.8% and 44.4% for tumors invading the tongue or not, respectively.Cervical metastasis was 60 0% and 42 0% for tumors invading the gum or not, respectively.Cervical metastasis was 76.5% for the poorly differentiated and was 42.1% for the moderately and well differentiated squamous cell carcinoma ( P = 0.018). The overall 5 years survival was 46.4% for the 65 patients. The 5 years survival was 61.4% for these without cervical metastasis and 28.9% for these with cervical metastasis ( P = 0.0013).Conclusions:The local factors such as the tumor size greater than 3 cm, tumor invasion to the tongue and the gum, and the poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma of floor of mouth increased the incidence of cervical metastasis, and therefore adversely influenced the prognosis.

Objective To prepare the human dual-specificity protein phosphatase18 (Dusp18) monoclonal antibodies (McAb) with high titer and specificity and identify its characterization, which is based on further studying Dusp18 function. Methods BALB/c mice were immunized with purified recombinant Dusp18 protein. Cell fusion was performed between mouse splenic cells and myeloma cells (SP2/0), and then the hybridoma cell lines secreting McAb against Dusp18 antigen were screened and cloned. The ascites were prepared and purified with Protein G affinity chromatography. The titer and subtypes of McAb against Dusp18 were identified and measured by ELISA and Western blotting analysis. Results Two hybridoma cell lines, F003 and F004, that stably secreted McAb against Dusp18 were successfully obtained, which belong to the subtypes of IgG1 and k light chain. The antibody titers in culture supematant were 1:5120 and1:10 240, and those in the ascites fluid were 1:25 600 and 1:51 200 respectively. Western blotting analysis and immunohistochemistry showed that the two antibodies can specifically bind with Dusp18 derived from human eucaryotic cells or tissue. Conclusion Two McAb against Dusp18 have been successfully prepared which can be used for further studying the biological properties of Dusp18 and reveal its relationship with tumorigenesis and development.

OBJECTIVETo discuss treatment options for tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma.

METHODSA total of 108 patients with biopsy-proven tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma, treated between 1984 and 2000, were reviewed, including 82 men and 26 women, with ages ranging from 19 to 70 years. Treatments consisted of either radiotherapy and surgery reserved as salvage treatment (Salvage Surgery, 83 patients), or planned surgery with preoperative radiation (Planned Surgery, 25 patients). Radiotherapy was delivered primarily in a dosage of 60 - 70 Gy for Salvage Surgery patients and 40 - 50 Gy for Planned Surgery patients. Both salvage and planned surgeries were radical, with resection of the lateral oropharyngeal wall, segmental resection of the mandible and neck dissection. The pectoralis major myocutaneous flaps were used to repair surgical defects.

RESULTSThe percentages of radical surgery used in the Salvage Surgery and Planned Surgery groups were 24.1% (20/83) and 88.0% (22/25), respectively (P = 0.000). The local recurrence rates were 28.9% (24/83) and 20.0% (5/25) in the Salvage Surgery and Planned Surgery groups, respectively (P = 0.378). The neck recurrence rates were 9.6% (8/83) and 8.0% (2/25) in the Salvage Surgery and Planned Surgery groups respectively (P = 0.804). The 5-year survival rates were 59.3% and 55.3% in the Salvage Surgery and Planned Surgery groups, respectively (P = 0.7056).

CONCLUSIONSAlthough the two treatments had a similar survival rate, Salvage Surgery avoided 60% commando operations compared with the Planned Surgery group, which benefits to recovery of oral functions. Primary radiotherapy is recommended as the treatment of choice for tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma. After radical radiotherapy, salvage surgery should be undertaken in the case of tumor remnants or recurrences.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; therapy ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Salvage Therapy ; Tonsillar Neoplasms ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome