Abstract
Background/Aims: Gastric cancers are characterized by a heterogeneously hypoxic environment. Hypoxia might stimulate the malignant potential of cancer cells. The purpose of our study was to clarify the significance of hypoxia in gastric carcinoma by evaluating the expression of a hypoxic marker, namely carbonic anhydrase-9 (CA-9). Methods: A total of 265 patients who had undergone a resection of the primary tumor and were confirmed histologically to have sporadic gastric cancer were enrolled in this study. We evaluated the immunohistochemical expression of CA-9 in the paraffin-embedded specimens of 265 gastric adenocarcinomas. Results: The CA-9 expression was positive in 88 (33%) of 265 gastric carcinomas. The CA-9 expression level was significantly high in cases of type 4 carcinoma (60%, p < 0.001) and diffuse type carcinoma (41%, p < 0.001), and significantly correlated with the invasion depth (p < 0.001), lymph node metastasis (p < 0.001) and lymphatic invasion p = 0.002). The prognosis for CA-9-positive patients was significantly poorer than that of CA-9-negative patients (p = 0.003, log-rank). Conclusion: Hypoxia might be associated with aggressive tumor phenotypes of gastric carcinomas. The hypoxic marker CA-9 may be a useful prognostic indicator.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
