Table 3

The relation between histological type and α smooth muscle actin (ASMA) positive stromal cells in the tumour stroma of the 74 gastric carcinomas

ASMA positive stromal cells
Tumour depthNumber of cases+
*, p=0.00052; **,p=0.013; ***, p=0.000035; ****, p=0.0000011.
sm, submucosa; mp, muscularis propria; ss, subserosa; +, ASMA positive stromal cells; –, no ASMA positive stromal cells.
Diffuse type
Total24*6*18*
Early
    sm6**0**6**
Advanced
    mp+ss18***6***12***
    mp5**0**5**
    ss13**6**7**
Intestinal type
Total43*26*17*
Early
    sm21****5****16****
Advanced
    mp+ss22***,****21***,****1***,****
    mp880
    ss14131
Solid type
Total770
Early
    sm220
Advanced
    mp+ss550
    mp110
    ss440