The Effect of MCV on Prognosis in Patients with Gastric Cancer and its Relationship with C-ERBB2 Positivity

Objectives: Many factors considered to influence prognosis in gastric cancers have been investigated. In this study, we aimed to present the demographic characteristics of gastric cancer patients followed in the medical oncology unit, to investigate the effects on prognosis of MCV values measured at diagnosis, after surgery, and after chemotherapy, and to evaluate the effect on prognosis among C-ERB B2–positive patients.
Methods: 248 patients who presented to and were followed by the İstanbul Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi Medical Oncology Unit between 2010 and 2015 were examined retrospectively using the hospital automation system and the oncology unit file archive.
Results: A total of 248 patients diagnosed with gastric cancer (169 male, 79 female) were included. Among 50 stage 4 patients in whom C-ERB B2 was assessed, 8% (n=4) were 2+, 34% (n=17) were 3+, and 58% (n=29) were negative. Overall survival rates were 62.7% at 1 year, 44.6% at 2 years, 37.7% at 3 years, 30.7% at 4 years, and 28.8% at 5 years. On quantitative analysis of MCV values at diagnosis and after treatment, having MCV > 100 fL at any time point was not statistically significant in terms of prognosis. Likewise, a post-/pre-treatment MCV ratio >1.1 was not statistically significant. These parameters were also evaluated in the C-ERB B2–positive population and no significant difference was detected. Conclusion: Although changes in MCV values did not show a significant effect on prognosis, it was considered that increasing the patient population might yield statistical significance.

Keywords: C-ERBB2, Gastric Cancer, MCV