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Updated: Mar 15, 2026
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Published on: September 18, 2020
Decreased digit ratio (2D:4D) and gastric cancer in Chinese men
Youjing Sheng1, Wenli Qian1, Lu Wang2
1Ningxia Medical University, Key Laboratory of Fertility Preservation and Maintenance of Ministry of Education/Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics/Department of Medical Genetics and Cell Biology, Yinchuan 750004, PR China.
Background:
The development of finger length is influenced by the level of hormones during pregnancy in the womb. The relative length of 2nd to 4th digit (2D:4D) is considered as a putative marker for prenatal hormone exposure and may represent an individual susceptibility to certain diseases, particularly those hormone-related cancers (e.g., gastric cancer).
Aims:
The aim of this study is to investigate whether there is a possible relationship between 2D:4D ratio and gastric cancer (GCA) in Chinese men.
Methods:
94 male patients with GCA and 91 controls were chosen to participate in this study. Photographs of both hands were collected and then the lengths of second and fourth digits of both hands were measured. Left hand, right hand, mean hand, and right minus left hand (∆R-L) 2D:4D ratios were analyzed and compared.
Results:
In GCA group, 2D:4D ratios were significantly lower (right hand: p<0.01; left hand, mean hand: p<0.001) than controls. No association was observed between 2D:4D ratio and tumor staging (neither in tumor size (T) nor in lymph node involvement (N) or distant metastases (M)). There was also no correlation between 2D:4D ratio and age of onset.
Conclusions:
Decreased 2D:4D ratio may be an indicator for forecasting the susceptibility to develop GCA.
