Role of HER2neu expression in gastric cancer

Background: Gastric cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world and is responsible for over a million deaths. Gastric cancer broadly consists of two main histological types, diffuse and intestinal, and can be further classified as proximal (cardia) and distal (corpus and pylorus) cancers. The presence of Her2neu in certain cancers including gastric cancers has helped in throwing some light on the prediction of prognosis of the tumours. This study was carried out to assess and evaluate the role of Her2neu immunohistochemical expression in gastric cancers. Methodology: This study was carried out as a retrospective study on paraffin blocks of 70 gastrectomy specimens in the pathology department of our hospital. After the histological assessment and interpretation of data, appropriate blocks were chosen and sections of 3 micron thickness were cut and immunohistochemical staining of Her2neu was done and scoring was carried out. Results: We found that gastric cancer occurred predominantly in men as compared to women. Antrum was the most common site involved in gastric cancer (60%). In our study Grade 2 predominated (54%) than Grade 1 (4.2%) and Grade 3 (41%). According to the scoring system of Her2neu expression by immunohistochemistry in gastric cancer it was positive (3+) in 8 cases (11.4%), equivocal (2+) in 10 cases (14.3%) and negative (0+,1+) in 52 cases (74.3%). Her2neu was seen positive 13.7% of intestinal type tumours and in only 5.3% of diffuse type of tumours (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Her2neu testing in gastric adenocarcinomas especially in histologically identified early gastric carcinoma is recommended.