ABSTRACT
Objective: Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (erbb2/HER2) overexpression, has now been implicated in advanced gastric and gastroesophageal junction cancers. The study was conducted to determine the rate of HER2 positivity in patients with locally advanced or metastatic gastric and gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma in North-East India and to assess the impact of various demographic and clinical parameters on HER2 positivity. Methods: A total of 68 patients of age >18 years of gastric and gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma diagnosed on histopathological examination from September 2016 to February 2018 at Dr B Borooah Cancer Institute, Assam were enrolled for the observational (epidemiological) study. All patients were subjected to the HER2 immunohistochemistry test using a FDA-approved, standardized test kit. HER2 expression was correlated with various demographic and clinicopathological parameters. Results: The overall rate of HER2 positivity in the population studied was 56% (n=38). The rate was non-significantly higher in male, older age group (>60 years) and Hindu population. Similarly, HER2 positivity rate was higher in patients with well differentiated histology and was more common in patients with stage II and III diseases, but neither of the associations is statistically significant. HER2 positivity rate was significantly higher in proximal and in GEJ tumours (56% versus 44%, P=0.002). Conclusion: HER2 overexpression was evident in 56% of the North-East Indian patients with locally advanced and metastatic gastric and gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma. The overexpression correlated significantly with primary tumour site. Routine testing of gastric and gastroesophageal tumours for HER2 expression is recommended to provide a therapeutic advantage in Indian patients.
Subject(s)
Adenocarcinoma/pathology , Esophageal Neoplasms/pathology , Esophagogastric Junction/pathology , Receptor, ErbB-2/metabolism , Stomach Neoplasms/pathology , Adenocarcinoma/epidemiology , Adenocarcinoma/metabolism , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Asian People , Esophageal Neoplasms/epidemiology , Esophageal Neoplasms/metabolism , Esophagogastric Junction/metabolism , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , India/epidemiology , Male , Middle Aged , Prevalence , Prognosis , Stomach Neoplasms/epidemiology , Stomach Neoplasms/metabolismABSTRACT
Cancer is one of the most dreaded diseases of the 20th century and spreading further with continuance and increasing incidence in the 21st century. The situation is so alarming that every fourth person is having a lifetime risk of cancer. India registers more than 11 lakh new cases of cancer every year, whereas, this figure is above 14 million worldwide. Is cancer curable? The short answer to this question is "Yes." In fact, all cancers are curable if they are caught early enough. Cancer cells continue to grow unless one of four things occur: (1) The cancerous mass is removed surgically; (2) using chemotherapy or another type of cancer-specific medication, such as hormonal therapy; (3) using radiation therapy; or (4) the cancer cells shrink and disappear on their own.
Subject(s)
Neoplasms/pathology , Neoplasms/therapy , Humans , Neoplasms/epidemiology , Neoplasms/mortality , Survival RateABSTRACT
The authors in the present article have given a brief outline of oncological emergencies and discussed the management guidelines from clinical stand point.
