Histopathologic examination for Helicobacter pylori as a possible etiopathogenic factor in laryngeal carcinoma

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the presence of Helicobacter pylori in laryngeal cancer specimens to reveal whether or not this is a risk factor in the development of squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx. METHODS: Sixty-nine total laryngectomy specimens with the pathologic diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma and 30 laryngeal tissue samples that had been taken for the investigation of nonneoplastic (polyp, nodule) diseases were studied. Specimens of both tumor and control groups were stained with hematoxylin-eosin and modified Giemsa stains, and then they were examined under a light microscope. RESULTS: In both groups, H. pylori could not be found in any of the cases. CONCLUSION: The histologic examination of our series did not reveal any clue related to the possible etiologic association between H. pylori and squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx.