This study aimed to retrospectively analyse the expression of epidermal growth factor-like domain 7 protein in cases of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

We studied 116 patients retrospectively. Expression of epidermal growth factor-like domain 7 protein was determined in tumour and nontumour tissue samples, by immunohistochemistry.

Expression levels were significantly increased in 94 cases. Increased expression levels correlated well with tumour stage (p = 0.001) and lymph node metastasis (p = 0.002). Log-rank survival testing showed a significant difference between patients with marked versus limited expression levels (p = 0.03). Multivariable Cox regression analysis showed that epidermal growth factor-like domain 7 protein expression level was an independent predictor of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma prognosis.

These findings provide evidence that increased epidermal growth factor-like domain 7 protein expression is associated with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma stage, lymph node metastasis and poor survival. This suggests that this protein may be a potential marker for laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma.