Expressions of COX-2 in laryngeal carcinoma and hypopharynx carcinoma and its clinical significance

Objective: To study on the relationships of the expressions of cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2) linked with clinical pathological characters and prognosis in laryngeal carcinoma and hypopharynx carcinoma. Method: The representatives paraffin section was selected and 40 specimens of laryngeal carcinoma and hypopharynx carcinoma was tested by immunohistochemical technique with polyclonal antibody against COX-2. Result: The positive rate of COX-2 expressions in laryngeal carcinoma and hypopharynx carcinoma and in vocal cord polyp were 67.5%(27/40)and 0%(0/30) respectively. The group with high TNM stage had a significantly higher expression of COX-2 and the expressions of COX-2 were significantly correlated with histological grade of differentiation. COX-2 expression had no obvious correlation with cervial lymphtic metastasis.Conclusion:COX-2 overexpression are found in laryngeal carcinoma and hypopharynx carcinoma, and is associated with the malignant degree of the tumor ,indicating that COX-2 may play a key role in the development and progression of laryngeal carcinoma and hypopharynx carcinoma.