[Analysis of microsatellite instability in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma].

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES The literature on the involvement of microsatellite instability in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma shows great variability, probably due to differences in the testing methods. Using a consensus detection system, we aimed to reach a reliable estimate of microsatellite instability prevalence in a subset of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cases. METHODS The microsatellite instabilityI status of 43 patients with previously untreated primary laryngeal squamous cell carcinomas was analyzed by a multiplex polymerase chain reaction assay including 5 mononucleotide repeat markers. RESULTS Thirty-six cases showed a stable phenotype or a microsatellite stable phenotype (83.7%) and 7 cases (16.3%) showed an microsatellite instability-positive phenotype. One case showed instability in 3 of 5 markers, 1 case in 2 markers and 5 cases in 1 marker. The microsatellite instability-positive and stable cases did not differ with respect to age, tumour stage, lymph node or distant metastases. CONCLUSIONS Our data showed that a proportion of laryngeal squamous cell carcinomas are microsatellite instability positive. Knowledge of microsatellite instability patient status will allow adjusting anticancer therapy at an individual level.