Proliferative activity as a prognostic factor in Borrmann type 4 gastric carcinoma

Proliferative activities in 181 primary Borrmann type 4 gastric carcinomas were investigated using percentage labelling of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and an argyrophilic nucleolar organiser region (AgNOR) count. Tumours with a high proliferative activity often metastasised to lymph nodes (P < 0.01), and these patients had a lower survival rate (P < 0.05). A significant correlation was recognised between the PCNA labelling percentage and AgNOR count (r = 0.452, P < 0.001). Cox's regression analysis showed that PCNA labelling percentage is an independent prognostic factor. These results indicate that estimating proliferative activity may be useful in predicting lymph node metastasis and patients' prognosis in cases of Borrmann type 4 gastric carcinoma.