Abstract
A total of 68 cases of gastric
a d e n o c a r c i n o m a w e r e i n c l u d e d a n d
Immunohistochemical marker for HER2/neu was
applied and evaluated on paraffin sections.
HER2/neu overexpression according to age,
gender, site and histological type was determined.
HER2/neu was assessed on the membrane
staining of tumor cells. It was considered positive
when more than 10% of the cells stained positively
in resection specimens and for biopsy specimens
at least 5 cells were positive.
Objective: To determine the frequency and
expression of HER2/neu positivity by immunohistochemistry in gastric adenocarcinoma.
Conclusion: HER2/neu overexpression can be
determined in gastric adenocarcinoma by using
immunohistochemistry. Approximately 21% cases
showed overexpression in our study. Larger
studies are required for more definitive results to
accurately determine proportion of patients who
may benefit from trastuzumab therapy. (Rawal
Med J 202;45:537-540).
Results: Out of 68 cases, 42 (61.8%) were
gastric cardia in origin, 16 (23.5%) of
gastoesophageal junction and 10 (14.7%) of
gastric fundus. 3+ HER2/neu staining in gastric
cardia, gastroesophageal junction and gastric
fundus was found to be 6 (14.3%), 6 (37.5%) and
2 (20%), respectively. 36 (52.9%) cases were
intestinal type and 32 (47.1%) were signet ring
type and 3+ HER2/neu staining was 12 (33.3%),
and 2 (6.3%), respectively. There were 3+
positive in 14 (20.6%) cases, 0, 1+ negative in 38
(55.9%) cases and 2+ equivocal in 16 (23.5%).
