ERBB2 gene amplification was observed in20.3% (14/69) of gastric cancer patients, including 24.4% (10/41) of the 41 patients with lymph node metastases and only 7.1% (2/28) of patients without lymph node metastases, representing a significant difference (P < 0.05). Here, ERBB2 is linked to metastatic malignant neoplasm in the lymph nodes.