Expression of c-myc mRNA as an aid in histologic differentiation of adenoma from well differentiated adenocarcinoma in the stomach.
BACKGROUND
Using prospective follow-up studies, the authors examined the value of the expression of c-myc mRNA in biopsy specimens obtained from elevated gastric lesions as an aid in the differentiating between adenomas and well differentiated elevated-type adenocarcinomas.


METHODS
By in situ hybridization, the authors determined the expression of c-myc mRNA in biopsy specimens of elevated gastric lesions. The 31 patients who had borderline lesions with and without overexpression of c-myc were followed with repeated endoscopic examinations and gastric biopsies.


RESULTS
Endoscopic follow-up examinations showed that gastric cancer was detected in 5 of 11 patients (46%) with elevated lesions that stained positively for c-myc mRNA during an observation period of 15 months (range, 2-32 months). The cancers were confirmed histologically in gastrectomy specimens. No cancers were found in patients with elevated lesions that stained negatively. The difference was statistically significant (P < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
The overexpression of c-myc mRNA may present a new tool for distinguishing between adenomas and well differentiated adenocarcinomas of the elevated type.
Tatsuta
M
M
Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Center for Adult Diseases, Osaka, Japan.
Iishi
H
H
Baba
M
M
Nakaizumi
A
A
Uehara
H
H
Taniguchi
H
H
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology*; D000236:Adenoma / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology*; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000473:pathology; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D016259:Genes, myc / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016271:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology*
D016271:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc; D012333:RNA, Messenger