Molecular diagnostics of head and neck tumors. (section Head and Neck Pathology)
Author(s)
Lam, Alfred
Griffith University Author(s)
Year published
2014
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Research has elucidated the detailed molecular mechanisms of
carcinogenesis, tumour progression, and metastasis in different
head and neck tumours in the recent decade. These advances have
great impacts on pathology practices in areas including oral and
head/neck squamous cell carcinoma, papillary thyroid carcinoma,
head and neck paraganglioma and salivary gland tumours. (1) In
oral and head/neck squamous cell carcinoma, human papilloma
virus is an important independent prognostic variable and predictive
factor for responsiveness to treatment. The presence of the
virus is best reflected by immunohistochemical staining of ...
View more >Research has elucidated the detailed molecular mechanisms of carcinogenesis, tumour progression, and metastasis in different head and neck tumours in the recent decade. These advances have great impacts on pathology practices in areas including oral and head/neck squamous cell carcinoma, papillary thyroid carcinoma, head and neck paraganglioma and salivary gland tumours. (1) In oral and head/neck squamous cell carcinoma, human papilloma virus is an important independent prognostic variable and predictive factor for responsiveness to treatment. The presence of the virus is best reflected by immunohistochemical staining of p16. (2) In papillary thyroid carcinoma, presence of BRAF mutation is predictive of aggressive biological behaviour and could be useful for the diagnosis of papillary thyroid carcinoma. (3) For head/neck paragangliomas, the clinical impact in pathology is the role of pathologist in the detection of SDHB by immunohistochemistry in paraganglioma as SDHB mutations are correlated with presence of metastasis and poor prognosis. (4) In salivary gland tumours, chromosomal translocations as detected by FISH, are useful for diagnosis of tumours like hyalinising clear cell carcinoma and mammary analog secretory carcinoma. In conclusion, awareness of new advances in molecular pathology is essential for proper management of patients with head and neck tumours.
View less >
View more >Research has elucidated the detailed molecular mechanisms of carcinogenesis, tumour progression, and metastasis in different head and neck tumours in the recent decade. These advances have great impacts on pathology practices in areas including oral and head/neck squamous cell carcinoma, papillary thyroid carcinoma, head and neck paraganglioma and salivary gland tumours. (1) In oral and head/neck squamous cell carcinoma, human papilloma virus is an important independent prognostic variable and predictive factor for responsiveness to treatment. The presence of the virus is best reflected by immunohistochemical staining of p16. (2) In papillary thyroid carcinoma, presence of BRAF mutation is predictive of aggressive biological behaviour and could be useful for the diagnosis of papillary thyroid carcinoma. (3) For head/neck paragangliomas, the clinical impact in pathology is the role of pathologist in the detection of SDHB by immunohistochemistry in paraganglioma as SDHB mutations are correlated with presence of metastasis and poor prognosis. (4) In salivary gland tumours, chromosomal translocations as detected by FISH, are useful for diagnosis of tumours like hyalinising clear cell carcinoma and mammary analog secretory carcinoma. In conclusion, awareness of new advances in molecular pathology is essential for proper management of patients with head and neck tumours.
View less >
Conference Title
Congress of the International Academy of Pathology 2014.
Publisher URI
Subject
Medical and Health Sciences not elsewhere classified
Clinical Sciences