The Analysis of Human Epidermal Growth Receptor-2 (HER-2) in Gastric Cancer In A Tertiary Hospital in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Background: In Ghana, gastric cancer contributes significantly to cancer morbidity and mortality. However, the recent usage of HER-2 monoclonal antibody in combination with chemotherapy has greatly improved the overall survival of patients. This study, therefore, aims at evaluating the pattern of HER-2 overexpression in gastric carcinomas in Kumasi, Ghana.

Methodology: Demographic data and histological diagnosis were retrieved from the surgical daybook of the Department of Pathology, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi. The slides were retrieved and reviewed to confirm the diagnosis, grading and classification of gastric cancer and immunohistochemistry was done with anti-HER-2 antibody to confirm HER-2 over-expression.

Results: Of the 99 cases of gastric cancer seen over the 8 years, there were 57 males and 42 females. There were 91 adenocarcinomas, 5 GIST and 3 Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. The age range of the study population was 8-90 years with a modal age group in the 6th decade. Of the adenocarcinomas, 45 were poorly differentiated, 38 moderately differentiated and 8 well differentiated. The diffuse type was most common with 47 cases followed by intestinal type with 41cases and mixed type with 3 cases. Three of the 4 patients under the age of 30 years had lymphoma. HER-2 overexpression was seen in 14 out of the 47 tested and all were intestinal types.

Conclusion: HER -2 over-expression was seen in 30% of patients with gastric carcinoma especially those with intestinal-type.