Expression of HER2 in Gastric Carcinoma According to Tumor Location

Introduction: HER2/neu (c-erbB-2) is an oncogene that encodes a transmembrane glycoprotein with tyrosine kinase activity known as 185 kDa. This 185 kDa belongs to the epidermal growth factor receptor. Though HER-2 expression has been extensively found in advanced gastric cancer, few recent studies have evaluated the same in early gastric cancers. HER-2 overexpression is considered one of the poorest prognostic variables after nodal status in early gastric cancers too. Aim of the study: To find out the expression of HER2 in gastric carcinoma according to tumor location. Material & Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Surgical Oncology of National Institute of Cancer, Research and Hospital, Mohakhali, Dhaka. The study period was from March 2014 to April 2015. A total of 80 patients were included in the study. After receiving the gastrectomy specimen, it was fixed in 10% formaldehyde. Statistical analysis was carried out using a computer-based software package for social science (SPSS 16.1). Ethical clearance was taken from the ethical committee of NICRH. Results: The highest patients were from the 61-70 years age group and the lowest were from 71-80 years. The mean age of the patients was 59.71 (±10.19) years. The female to male ratio in this study was 1: 2.48. The leading number of patients presented with abdominal pain where the vague abdominal discomfort was also included. They were 75%. This clinical condition was followed by vomiting which coined 58.75% of respondents. Out of 80 patients, 27 (33.75%) patients bore A +ve blood group whereas 23 (28.75%) patients had B+ve blood group. Most of the tumors were located in the distal (Noncardiac) part of the stomach (75%). Regarding staging 79 (98.75%) patients were in the advanced stage of the disease. Most of the tumors were located in the distal part of the stomach (11.67%). Conclusion: We reported a 12.5% of positive HER2 expression (IHC=3+ & 2+) in a series of 80 surgical specimens of gastric cancer patients. We also observed that positive HER2 expression varied depending on the histology and the primary tumor localization.