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. 2012 Sep;3(3):251-61.
doi: 10.3978/j.issn.2078-6891.2012.021.

Gastric cancer: Classification, histology and application of molecular pathology

Bing Hu, Nassim El Hajj, Scott Sittler, Nancy Lammert, Robert Barnes, Aurelia Meloni-Ehrig

Gastric cancer: Classification, histology and application of molecular pathology

Bing Hu et al. J Gastrointest Oncol. 2012 Sep.

Abstract

Gastric cancer remains one of the deadly diseases with poor prognosis. New classification of gastric cancers based on histologic features, genotypes and molecular phenotypes helps better understand the characteristics of each subtype, and improve early diagnosis, prevention and treatment. The objective of this article is to review the new classification of gastric cancers and the up-to-date guidance in the application of molecular testing.

Keywords: CDH1; DPD; Gastric carcinoma; HER2; classification; histology; molecular pathology.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Tubular adenocarcinoma. Irregular-shaped and fused neoplastic glands with intraluminal mucus and debris
Figure 2
Figure 2
Mucinous adenocarcinoma. Clusters and scattered tumor cells floating in the abundant extracellular mucin pools
Figure 3
Figure 3
Signet ring cell carcinoma. Signet ring carcinoma cells are predominantly at the superficial lamina propria
Figure 4
Figure 4
Pseudo-signet ring cells. The cytoplasm of pseudo-signet ring cells are vacuolated (A) and pale (B) (photos are courtesy of Dr. Caroline Hughes)
Figure 5
Figure 5
Pseudo-signet ring cells are confined within basement membrane and maintain intact acinar structure with reticulin stain (photo is courtesy of Dr. Caroline Hughes)
Figure 6
Figure 6
Micropapilary adenocarcinoma. Small papillary clusters of tumor cells devoid of fibrovascular core and surrounded by empty spaces
Figure 7
Figure 7
A.In situ signet ring carcinoma cells confined within basement membrane; B. Pagetoid spread of signet ring cells (arrow heads) below the preserved surface epithelium; C. Focus of intramucosal signet ring cell carcinoma (arrows) in the lamina propria (all three photos are courtesy of Dr. Rebecca Fitzgerald)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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