Prognostic value of cyclin D1 expression in tumor-free surgical margins in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas

Abstract

Conclusion: It was proved that cyclin D1-positive status in surgical margins was an independent prognostic indicator of local recurrence. The expression of cyclin D1 in tumor-free surgical margins may better predict local recurrence in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) after surgical treatment with curative intent. Objective: This retrospective study aimed to determine the prognostic indicators for local recurrence in HNSCC. Methods: A total of 116 HNSCC patients who underwent surgical treatment with curative intent and had histopathologically tumor-free margins were eligible for this study. The expression of p53 and cyclin D1 was assessed by immunohistochemical staining in surgical margins as well as in tumor specimens. Results: In all, 63 patients (54.3%) had p53-positive tumor specimens and 34 patients (29.3%) had p53-positive margins. Seventy-six patients (65.6%) had cyclin D1-positive tumor specimens and 54 patients (46.6%) had cyclin D1-positive margins. A significant difference in local control rates was observed between patients with cyclin D1-positive and -negative margins (77.2% vs 91.5%, log rank test, p = 0.0139). Multivariate Cox proportional hazards testing indicated that the hazard ratio of cyclin D1-positive margins for local recurrence was 4.58 (95% confidence interval 1.14–21.69, p = 0.0304).