Time to reclassify gastric carcinomas of diffuse type to neuroendocrine carcinomas

#3381

Introduction: The difference between adeno- and neuroendocrine carcinomas has been disputed for decades. Occurrence of neuroendocrine tumor cells in adenocarcinomas has been recognized, but the distinction between them has been made upon a certain number of tumor cells with a neuroendocrine marker. The number of positive cells depends upon the sensitivity of the method. Carcinogenesis generally results in loss and not gain of function. New gene expression of markers specific for a cell type seldom occurs.

Aim(s): The aim of this study was to examine the occurrence of neuroendocrine and more specifically ECL cell markers in gastric carcinomas classified as diffuse according to Laurén (those showing no glandular growth pattern) since we had shown that gastrin regulated the histamine release as well the growth of this cell via the gastrin receptor.

Materials and methods: Gastric carcinoma tissue was collected at surgery and immediately fixed for immunohistochemistry, in-situ hybridization and immune-electron microscopy. Tyramide signal amplification was used when appropriate.

Conference:

Presenting Author: Waldum H

Authors: Waldum H, Mjønes P,

Keywords: adenocarcinoma, neuroendocrine carcinoma, neuroendocrine tumor (NET), classification,