Cadherin-catenin adhesion system and mucin expression: a comparison between young and older patients with gastric carcinoma

Background Young patients are thought to develop gastric carcinomas with a molecular genetic profile that is distinct from that of gastric carcinomas occurring at a later age. The aim of this study was to compare the clinicopathological features and expression patterns of the markers E-cadherin and β-catenin, and mucins (MUC1, MUC2, MUC5AC, and MUC6) in young and older patients.