[Relationship between the contents of sialic acid and fucose on red cell membrane and occurrence of atrophic gastritis and gastric cancer].

The contents of sialic acid and fucose on red cell membrane in 40 normal controls. 58 atrophic gastritis patients, and 38 gastric cancer patients were determined. The results showed that the levels of sialic acid and fucose in patients with gastric diseases were of significant difference (P less than 0.001) in contrast with the normal controls. They were markedly elevated on red cell membranes of gastric cancer patients. There was significant difference (P less than 0.001) as compared with atrophic gastritis patients. If the sialic acid and fucose exceeded the maximum normal value of the control group, they could be taken as positive for malignancy. In gastric cancer group, the positive rate was 89.5% for sialic acid contents while for fucose contents, it was 94.7%. Both parameters of sialic acid and fucose of red cell membrane have practical reference value for the diagnosis of gastric cancer.