[Evaluation of the prognostic factor in human gastric cancer with special reference to the relationship between proliferation and carcinoembryonic antigen production of the cancer cell].

The biological property of human gastric cancer was studied by morphological and immunohistochemical observations. The cytoplasmic mucin of cancer cells was mainly neurtromucin in the mucosa. However, acid mucin was increased in the cancer cells of signet-ring cell carcinoma with submucosal infiltration. Immunohistochemically, CEA was localized in the plasma membrane of matured signet-ring cells and the cytoplasm of immature cancer cells. On electron microscopic observation, the cytoplasmic organellae were prominent in the immature cells which were dominant in submucosal infiltrating region. In vitro, the cancer cell line established from signet-ring cell carcinoma revealed that CEA production was associated with cell growth property showing 3H-TdR and BrdU uptake. This results may suggest that CEA production was an important indicator for the decision of prognosis in signet-ring cell carcinoma.