Expression of oncogenes Cyclin D1, FGF-3 and FGF-4 was investigated in eight cases of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) and matched normal controls using the sensitive detection technique of RT-PCR. We demonstrate elevated expression of cyclin D1 in 5/8 SCCHN tumor samples and describe the first report of overexpression of cyclin D1 in tumors of the pyriform sinus. In contrast, we do not detect, under routine conditions, expression of oncogenes FGF-3 and FGF-4 in these tumors and suggest that FGF-3 and FGF-4 are unlikely to play a role in the development of squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck.