Neural cell adhesion molecule expression in adenoid cystic carcinoma of the head and neck.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether there is a correlation between neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) expression and perineural spread in patients with adenoid cystic carcinoma of the head and neck (ACCHN).

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective review of medical records and immunohistochemical staining of specimens from 37 patients treated at the University of Arkansas in Little Rock from 1987 to 1997.

METHODS

Sections from paraffin-embedded specimens were examined for the presence of NCAM using monoclonal anti-NCAM antibody by avidin-biotin-peroxidase immunohistochemical staining. NCAM staining was scored in each specimen and correlated with the data obtained from patient charts.

RESULTS

Twenty-five of 37 specimens (68%) showed histopathological evidence of perineural spread. All 37 specimens (100%) stained positive for NCAM, regardless of perineural spread status.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggested that the use of NCAM expression as a predictor of perineural spread is highly unlikely.