A Study of Evaluation of Immunoreactivity of c-erbB-2 and Histopathological Parameter in Esophageal Carcinoma

Abstract

Abstrct Background: Squamous cell carcinoma is commonest histologic variant of carcinoma of esophagus (ESCC). It is predominant in developing countries and usually has a poor prognosis, because of its advanced stage at the time of diagnosis. Understanding the prognostic factors helps in selection of the most appropriate surgical approach in order to select patient for target directed therapies. HER-2/neu (C-erbB-2), member of human epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFR) is important, as it plays a crucial role in therapeutic implications of esophageal carcinoma. Considering the importance of c-erbB-2 expression and its prognostic significance in esophageal cancer, this study was undertaken. Result: Fifty cases of esophageal carcinoma including squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma studied showed M: F ratio of 1.9:1 with age ranging from 32 years to 80 years (mean age 59.1 years). There were 43(86%) cases of Squamous cell carcinoma with 65.1% positivity of which 10 (20%) cases were poorly diffentiated with a positivity of 60% ,20 (40%) cases were moderately diffentiated with a positivity of 65% and 09 (18%) were well differentiated with a positivity of 55.6% for c-erbB-2 staining. Seven (14%) cases of adenocarcinoma with a positivity of 85.7% and four (08%) cases of endoscopic biopsy have a positivity of 75% for c-erbB-2 staining. Conclusion: Present study results illustrate that HER-2/neu(c-erbB-2) gene amplification is a influential prognostic indicator in ESCC. Therefore, additional studies with more cases including supplementary techniques are compelling to verify molecular alterations involved in tumor progression, thus assisting in the advancement of modern therapies for ESCC.