Argyrophilic nuclear organizer region and p73 expression in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas: Teammates or adversaries?

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) consists of squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) arising in the upper aerodigestive tract and accounts for 5% of cancers worldwide. In Malaysia, cancers of the nasopharynx, larynx, tongue and oral cavity are among the top twenty most common cancers in men. Argyrophilic nuclear organizer regions (AgNORs) are increased from normal mucosa to premalignant lesions to malignant lesions and have been associated with tumor grade and prognosis of patients. Although p73 is not mutated in human cancers, high levels of p73 expression have been associated with tumor differentiation status and patient prognosis.