[Determination of the labeling index in stomach tumors (preliminary report)]

The results of measurement of labelling index in tumor tissues and the so-called "normal" gastric mucosa, used as a cell kinetics parameter, were compared in 21 cases of stomach cancer. A procedure of double labeling DNA-synthesizing cells with different concentrations of 3H-thymidine was applied. Tumor tissue samples and specimens of gastric mucosa obtained at a distance of 5-10 cm from the visible boundary of tumor were labeled simultaneously, and a significant difference in labeling index in the tissue samples was observed. Mean labeling index in tumor tissue was 29.66% +/- 1.32, while in normal mucosa - 5.76% +/- 0.76. The procedure may be recommended for early diagnosis of cancer.