RESUMO
PURPOSE: E-cadherin and CD44H have been shown to play a role in the progression and the metastasis of tumors. This study evaluated the clinical correlations between expression of E-cadherin and CD44H and various clinicopathologic factors and the value of expressions of E-cadherin and CD44H as prognostic factors in Borrmann type IV gastric cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 122 patients with Borrmann type IV gastric cancer, we performed the immunohistochemical stainings for E-cadherin and CD44H. We analyzed the correlation between the expressions of E-cadherin and CD44H and lymphatic invasion, venous invasion, perineural invasion, histologic type, lymph node metastasis, depth of invasion, stage, and peritoneal dissemination, and survival. RESULTS: There were no correlations between reduced expression of E-cadherin and CD44H and lymphatic invasion, venous invasion, perineural invasion, histologic type, lymph node metastasis, depth of invasion, and stage. However, there was a significant correlation between lymph node metastasis and the lymphatic invasion (P=0.022). There was also a significant correlation between the peritoneal dissemination and CD44H expression (P=0.005). The 5-year survival rate was correlated with CD44H expression (P=0.026), peritoneal dissemination (P<0.01), depth of invasion (P<0.01), lymph node metastasis (P<0.01), stage of tumor (P<0.01), and lymphatic invasion (P<0.01). There was no correlation between expression of E-cadherin and survival rate. CONCLUSION: The expression of CD44H and peritoneal dissemination was correlated. The expression of CD44H was an independent prognostic factor in Borrmann type IV gastric cancer. Further prospective studies with a large number of cases are required.