Work

Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase in precancerous lesions and carcinomas of oral, pharyngeal, and laryngeal mucosa

Year: 1985

Type: article

Abstract: This study was undertaken to determine whether gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) histochemical activity is expressed during the development of human oral, pharyngeal, and laryngeal squamous neoplasms. Surgical specimens from 46 patients were sampled and unfixed frozen sections were prepared and processed for histopathologic evaluation and histochemical localization of GGT. The patients' tobacco exposure, alcohol intake, and previously diagnosed neoplastic disease were documented. Generalized or patchy GGT histochemical activity was observed in each of 22 squamous cell carcinomas and in each of 33 dysplastic samples. Thus, GGT appears to be expressed during the development of malignant squamous epithelial neoplasms of the oral-pharyngeal-laryngeal region. In addition, the detection of GGT activity in several samples of nondysplastic epithelium, obtained from patients at high risk of developing cancer in this region, raises the possibility that this marker is expressed in very early precancerous sites that have not yet developed the histologic hallmarks of premalignancy.

Source: Cancer

DOI: 10.1002/1097-0142(19850701)56:1<138::aid-cncr2820560122>3.0.co;2-4

Authors: Lilian Calderon-Solt, Dennis B. Solt

Institutions: Northwestern University, Northwestern Memorial Hospital

Language: English

Topic: Head and Neck Cancer Studies

Subfield: Otorhinolaryngology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: bronze

Funder: National Cancer Institute