The aim of the present study was to detect the amplification of the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) gene in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma (GEJAC) and gastric cancer (GC), as well as to understand the pathological meaning of HER2 gene amplification with regard to clinico-pathological parameters in these types of cancer. This evidence concerns the gene ERBB2 and gastric cancer.