Prognostic factors used in head and neck tumours in clinical practice such as age, sex, general condition and immunological status have only a low prognostic value. Also histopathological grading, primary site and assessment of the TNM stage are very subjective. Quantitative assessment of the basic characteristics of the tumour may permit to predict its behaviour more accurately. Therefore the authors assessed in 42 patients with carcinoma of the pharynx and the upper portion of the larynx, treated at our Clinic and then followed-up for 4-9 years, in addition to site, TNM classification and histopathological grading also marker Ki-67. These factors were related by one-dimensional statistical analysis to the total period of survival and survival without symptoms of the disease. Statistical significance was not proved but the character of the survival curve indicates possible successful predictions of the development in patients with head and neck cancer. There is also a statistically significant high incidence of well differentiated tumours in patients in the IVth TNM stage. It is probable that after addition of further cytokinetic indicators it will be possible to find by multidimensional analysis suitable prognostic factors in head and neck tumours.

        Key words: prognosis of head and neck cancer, marker Ki-67.