Clinicopathological significance of p16 gene expression in the surgical treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas

Abstract

There was a high frequency of downregulation of p16 expression in HNSCC. Tumours of the larynx had a significantly higher frequency of weak p16 expression compared with tumours of the oral cavity and pharynx. Downregulation of p16 contributed to cellular proliferation, resulting locally in a more advanced tumour. It had no prognostic significance for nodal metastasis and survival.