Abstract

Objective: The study is the histopathological audit of Gastric tumours in the Department of Pathology of RG Kar Medical college in six months, with special reference to MUC2 expression in gastric carcinomas.

Materials and Methods: All cases were grossly and microscopically examined and were classified under the WHO classification for Gastric tumours. The cases of Gastric carcinomas were further subjected to immunohistochemical examination by MUC2 and the results were correlated with the histomorphological grading and staging of the tumour.

Results and Analysis: There were altogether 20 cases in one year; 15 were of adenocarcinomas, 3 were of lymphoma; 1 of GIST; 1 of gastric carcinoid. Majority of the tumours were located in the gastric antrum/ pyloric region and most of them were moderately differentiated. The well differentiated carcinomas showed high expression of MUC2 and as the grade progressed the expression of MUC2 reduced. Hence MUC2 is inversely related to the grade of gastric carcinoma The expression of MUC2 and its reduction has a therapeutic indication as a high MUC2 expression can lead to fatal pseudomyxoma peritonei which can be limited by Anti- MUC2 therapy.

Conclusion: Gastric adenocarcinomas are the most common tumours among gastric neoplasms. They are more common in males. Mean presentation is 40-60 years. The lymphomas are mainly of Non hodgkins type. The expression of MUC2 decreased as the grade of the tumour increased hence the indication of anti MUC2 therapy is ore in lower grades of gastric carcinomas as compared to higher grades

Keywords: Gastric neoplasms, MUC2, Gastric cancer.