Abstract

Purpose: Squamous cell carcinomas of head and neck region makes up 5% of all cancers. Ninety-five percent of the cancers in this region are squamous cell carcinomas. Smoking, alcohol, solar rays, certain viruses and some genetic alterations such as chromosomal abnormalities, loss of the tumor suppressor genes and activated oncogenes play significant roles in the etiology of squamous cell carcinomas of head and neck region. In this study, we aimed to display chromosomal aberrations on patients with squamous cell carcinomas of head and neck region.

Methods: Three female and 29 male, totally 32 patients diagnosed as having squamous cell carcinoma in the head and neck were included in this study. Peripheral blood samples were taken from the patients and these were analysed in order to search for chromosomal abnormalities and sister chromatid exchanges (SCE). In addition, carcinomaus tissue samples from 22 patients, undergone surgery for treatment, were taken in order to investigate chromosomal abnormalities in the tumor tissues.

Results: As a result of the study, structural and numerical chromosomal anomalies were determined. The SCE rates were found to be significant in the patients with carcinoma compared to the control group (Z=-5,842 P< 0,0001).