Differentiation of squamous carcinoma of the larynx as a determinant of prognosis.

Abstract

The changes seen by light and electron microscopy in the differentiation of squamous carcinoma are described. The grading of the differentiation of squamous carcinomas by overall impression and by quantitative methods are discussed. Reasons are given for retaining the former in the assessment of prognosis. Other differentiating phenomena, particularly retention of basement membrane in the formation of rounded rather than jagged growing edges, are discussed. The differentiating effect of radiation on squamous carcinomas is discussed as a means of assessing the efficacy of the radiation. A similar differentiating effect of bleomycin, a cytotoxic drug, on human squamous carcinoma is described. Using electron microscopical criteria belomycin also increases differentiation of a transplanted, experimental, poorly differentiated squamous carcinoma and human laryngeal carcinoma cells in tissue culture. The significance and possible practical utilization of this phenomenon are discussed.