E-cadherin expression in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and its lymph metastasis

Aim: To investigate the expression and clinical significance of E cadherin (E cad)in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC)and its lymph metastasis.Methods:The expression of E cad in normal esophageal epithelia(19 cases),ESCC(52 cases),and metastasis lymph nodes(20 cases)was detected by immunohistochemical method(SP).Results:In 19 cases of the normal epithelial cells,the expression of E cad appeared brownish yellow on the cytomembrane,the rate of E cad normal expression in primary lesions and lymph nodes metastasis were 23.1% and 5 9% respectively,and there was significant difference( P 0 05) The normal expression rate of E cad was related to the histological grades,depth of infiltration and lymph node metastasis in 52 cases of ESCC( P 0 05) Conclusion:The decreased expression of E cad plays an important role in the malignant progression of ESCC and could be used as a biomarker of the tumor development and prognosis.