With regard to the expression of HER-2 and EGFR on oesophageal SCC, EGFR-positive tumours were observed in 35% of patients with oesophageal SCC, and HER-2-positive tumours were observed in 31% of them in the present study, in line with previous reports (Mimura et al, 2005b). This evidence concerns the gene ERBB2 and neoplasm.