L-myc polymorphism in head and neck nonmelanoma skin and lower lip cancers.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the presence of L-myc gene variations as a genetic predisposition to head and neck nonmelanoma skin cancer (HNNMSC) and lower lip cancer (LLC).

DESIGN

A case-control study.

SETTING

An academic institute laboratory.

PARTICIPANTS

Twenty-four patients with HNNMSC and 27 with LLC were compared with 51 age- and sex-matched control subjects.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism and agarose gel electrophoresis were used to determine the L-myc oncogene genotypes.

RESULTS

The presence of the LS genotype was found to be significantly increased in the study group, whereas the LL genotype was not detected. The S allele was also more frequent in the study group. The SS genotype was found to correlate with aggressive tumor behavior in patients with HNNMSC and a family history of cancer. Patients with LLC displayed significantly less of the SS genotype.

CONCLUSIONS

The L-myc gene polymorphism may help detect and prevent HNNMSC and LLC in susceptible individuals. It may also contribute to estimation of tumor behavior in patients with HNNMSC.