Worldwide, Gastric cancer is the second most common type of cancer.
Of the gastric cancer, adenocarcinoma is the most common malignancy. It
comprises over 90% of all gastric cancers. Gastric mucins are synthesized by
gastric epithelial cells which are cytoprotective. Mucins are glycoprotein with
high molecular weight, which are membrane bound or secreted products
synthesized by secretory epithelial cells. Mucins in general are classified as
neutral and acidic. Normal gastric mucin is of neutral type. In neoplastic
transformation of gastric mucosa, the neutral mucin production is decreased..
More than 15 mucin genes have been identified. MUC-1 expressed in tumor
may function as an anti-adhesion molecule that inhibits cell to cell adhesion,
inducing the release of cells from the tumor. In these manners MUC-1
expression may be associated with invasive or metastatic properties of tumor
cells, resulting in poor prognosis for patients with gastric carcinoma showing
MUC-1 expression.
In the study period of 2 years from June 2013-June 2015, Gastric
cancer had a peak incidence in the age group of 51 – 60 years, with the mean
age of 55.5 years with 70% - in males and 30% in females. Males predominate
in the ratio of 2 .3 : 1 . On immunohistochemistry with MUC1,the expression
was membranous / cytoplasmic positivity (graded as 1+, 2+, 3+, Negative)
which was seen in 64% of cases. An increase in expression of MUC1
positivity was seen with increasing age and intestinal type of gastric
adenocarcinomas
