Reduced E-cadherin expression is associated with lymph node metastases in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma

Objective

To investigate the expression of E-cadherin and its relationship with clinicopathological parameters in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC).

Methods

Sixty-four patients who had previously undergone complete resection of tumor for LSCC were studied retrospectively. The level of E-cadherin expression in tumor tissues and paired nontumor tissues were determined by immunohistochemistry.

Results

The expression of E-cadherin in tumor tissues was significantly lower than nontumor tissues (P < 0.001). Reduced E-cadherin expression was significantly correlated with lymph node metastases (P < 0.001). Kaplan–Meier survival estimates showed a significant correlation between E-cadherin expression and patient survival rate (log-rank P < 0.05). Multivariate Cox proportional hazards model analysis confirmed that lymph node metastases (P = 0.001) and tumor stage (P = 0.013) were statistically significant, independent predictor of prognosis.

Conclusion

Expression of E-cadherin is an independent predictor of lymph node metastases in LSCC. However, it does not appear to be a better prognostic predictor than other established markers in LSCC.