World J Oncol

World Journal of Oncology, ISSN 1920-4531 print, 1920-454X online, Open Access

Article copyright, the authors; Journal compilation copyright, World J Oncol and Elmer Press Inc

Journal website http://www.wjon.org

Original Article

Volume 11, Number 2, April 2020, pages 65-71

Prognostic Potential of the Expression of Podoplanin (D2-40) Within Cells of Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Larynx and Hypopharynx

Figure 2. Examples for expression of D2-40 in tumor tissue of SCC. (a) Equally distribution of strong reaction (Funayama grade 3). (b) Focally distribution of strong reaction (Funayama grade 2). (c) Focally distribution of weak reaction. (d) Reaction at the border of invasion within a case with focally weak reaction (not shown in tumor cells nearby the border of invasion within this area) (magnification, × 200). SCC: squamous cell carcinoma.

Figure 3. Kaplan-Meier analysis of survival rates within the groups with different expression of D2-40. Blue line shows no reaction of D2-40 in tumor cells (n = 21), magenta shows weak expression in tumor cells (n = 29) and green shows strong expression in tumor cells (n = 69). The differences were not significant.

**Table 1.** Main Characteristics of Cases Included in the Study
	Larynx (n = 70)	Hypopharynx (n = 49)
*P < 0.05.
Median age (years)	62.2 (45 - 85)	57.2 (38 - 75)*
Male/female	66:4	43:6
Median tumor size (cm)	2.5 (0.6-5.2)	3.4 (1.0 - 6.5)*
Stage (pT1/pT2/pT3/pT4)	11/5/22/32	7/10/17/15
Grading (G1/G2/G3)	5/43/22	1/25/23
Median number of investigated lymph nodes	30.4 (4 - 76)	31.5 (5 - 82)
pN0/pN+	40/30 (43% pN+)	14/35 (71% pN+)*
Median number of nodal metastases in pN+	2 (1 - 25)	3 (1 - 17)

Table 1. Main Characteristics of Cases Included in the Study

Larynx (n = 70)

Hypopharynx (n = 49)

*P < 0.05.

Median age (years)

62.2 (45 - 85)

57.2 (38 - 75)*

Male/female

66:4

43:6

Median tumor size (cm)

2.5 (0.6-5.2)

3.4 (1.0 - 6.5)*

Stage (pT1/pT2/pT3/pT4)

11/5/22/32

7/10/17/15

Grading (G1/G2/G3)

5/43/22

1/25/23

Median number of investigated lymph nodes

30.4 (4 - 76)

31.5 (5 - 82)

pN0/pN+

40/30 (43% pN+)

14/35 (71% pN+)*

Median number of nodal metastases in pN+

2 (1 - 25)

3 (1 - 17)

**Table 2.** Reaction of D2-40 in Tumor Cells With Distribution and Associated Reaction at the Border of Invasion
	Reaction in tumor cells	Reaction at border of invasion	n	%
	No	No	21	17.6
Weak expression	Equally	No	2	1.7
	Equally	Positive	17	14.3
	Focally	No	6	5.0
	Focally	Positive	4	3.4
Strong expression	Equally	Positive	34	28.6
	Focally	No	7	5.9
	Focally	Positive	28	23.5

Table 2. Reaction of D2-40 in Tumor Cells With Distribution and Associated Reaction at the Border of Invasion

Reaction in tumor cells

Reaction at border of invasion

17.6

Weak expression

Equally

1.7

Equally

Positive

14.3

Focally

5.0

Focally

Positive

3.4

Strong expression

Equally

Positive

28.6

Focally

5.9

Focally

Positive

23.5

**Table 3.** Reaction of Tumor Cell in Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Larynx and Hypopharynx With D2-40
	Larynx	Hypopharynx	P (Chi-square)
No difference in the intensity of stain (P > 0.22).
No reaction of tumor cells	7	8.7	14	28.6	0.0047
positive reaction anywhere in the tumor	63	91.3	35	71.4
No reaction at the border of invasion	16	23.2	19	38.8	0.069
Positive reaction at the border of invasion	53	76.8	30	61.2

Table 3. Reaction of Tumor Cell in Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Larynx and Hypopharynx With D2-40

Larynx

Hypopharynx

P (Chi-square)

No difference in the intensity of stain (P > 0.22).

No reaction of tumor cells

8.7

28.6

0.0047

positive reaction anywhere in the tumor

91.3

71.4

No reaction at the border of invasion

23.2

38.8

0.069

Positive reaction at the border of invasion

76.8

61.2

**Table 4.** Survival Depends on Intensity of Stain for D2-40 Within Tumor Cells
Survival (months)	All (n = 119)	Negative(n = 21)	Weak expression(n = 29)	Strong expression(n = 69)
0	119	21	100	29	100	69	100
6	108	19	95	28	100	61	93
12	93	19	95	22	88	52	80
24	69	15	83	15	66	39	65
60	37	8	67	8	59	21	36

Table 4. Survival Depends on Intensity of Stain for D2-40 Within Tumor Cells

Survival (months)

All (n = 119)

Negative(n = 21)

Weak expression(n = 29)

Strong expression(n = 69)

119

100

108

100

**Table 5.** Multivariate Analysis Shows Lymphonodal Metastases and Positive Reaction for D2-40 as Parameters for Unfavorable Diagnosis
	n	HR	68% CI (HR)	P (Chi-square)
pN+	119	2.265	1.712 (2.996)	0.0035**
D2-40	119	1.559	1.290 (1.884)	0.019*

Table 5. Multivariate Analysis Shows Lymphonodal Metastases and Positive Reaction for D2-40 as Parameters for Unfavorable Diagnosis

68% CI (HR)

P (Chi-square)

pN+

119

2.265

1.712 (2.996)

0.0035**

D2-40

119

1.559

1.290 (1.884)

0.019*