Clinical and molecular features of cardial gastric cancer associated to Epstein Barr virus]

Background: Mortality caused by cordial gastric cancer in Chile, is increasing. Previously we demonstrated an association between Epstein Barr virus and this specific location of gastric cancer. Aim: To perform a clinical and molecular characterization of cardial gastric cancer associated to Epstein Bari, virus. Material and methods: Epstein Barr, virus was identified in 93 cardial gastric tumors, by in situ hybridization. Clinical and pathological features, survival and expression of p53 and c-erbB2 were compared between tumors with or without the presence of the virus. Results: Twenty two (23.6%) tumors expressed Epstein Barr virus. No difference in sex or age of patients with tumors positive or negative for the virus was observed. Epstein Barr positive tumors bad a tendency to have a higher frequency of Bormann III endoscopic appearance and a lower frequency of P53 accumulation (p=0. 06). Five years survival was 67% and 42016 of tumors positive and negative for the presence of the virus, respectively (P=0.57). Conclusions: Our results, although not significant, show a tendency towards unique characteristics of cardial gastric tumors associated to Epstein Barr virus.