Tissue factor expression on tumour cells of gastric cancer is correlated with involved lymph nodes

Objective To study the expression of the tissue factor(TF) in gastric cancer cells and its relation to lymph nodes metastasis.Methods Using anti-tissue factor antibody,immunohistochemical staining of TF antigen was obtained in formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissue sections of gastric cancers and involved lymph node.The differences in metastases and stage between TF positive and negative groups and the difference in TF expressions between tumour and involved lymph nodes were examined.Methods TF positive expression was oberved in 62.5(20 /32) of patients.The higher Duke's stage,the higher positive TF expression rate.TF positive group had more involved lymph nodes and liver metastases than the negative group.TF expression rate of involves lymph nodes was 84.2(16 /19),without relation to that of tumors.Conclusion TF expression was found high in gastric cancer and involved lymph nodes,and can promote lymph node metastasis and tumor cell growth in involved lymph nodes.TF expression in rumor cells may promote lymph node metastasis.