[Detection of estrogen receptors (ER) in gastric cancer]

Using Avidn-biotin-peroxidase complex (ABC) immunohistochemical method, 68 gastric cancer specimens and 20 non-cancerous stomach specimens were examined for ER. In 38 of 68 gastric cancer specimens, ER concentrations were also biochemically determined by Dextran-coated charcoal (DCC) assay. The results showed that ER was absent in noncancerous stomach tissues. ER was present in 21 (30.9%) of gastric cancers. The ER positive cases were chiefly poorly differentiated gastric cancers. There were no significant statistical differences in the patient's age or sex, size of primary tumor and the ER positive rates. The results indicate that endocrine therapy might be useful for the ER positive gastric cancer patients.