The clinicopathologic significance of estrogen receptors in human gastric carcinoma

In most populations, gastric cancer (GC) is approximately two times more prevalent in men than in women, which may suggest the protective role of sex steroid hormones in gastric carcinogenesis. Steroid hormones such as androgens and estrogens can be synthesized not only in the gonads but also in peripheral tissues. Many researchers have conducted studies examining the expression profile of enzymes involved in steroid synthesis, the occurrence of estrogen receptors (ERs) and the influence of ERs in the development, proliferation and progression of gastric cancer. Some studies have also evaluated the relationship between the presence of ERs and survival prognosis. However, the results of these studies are often controversial and divergent. In a recent study, it was indicated that sex steroid hormones and estrogen receptors are partly involved in gastric cancer but their clinicopathological significance still needs further investigation.