BACKGROUND: The epidermal growth factor family members: EGF, EGFR and the 
c-erbB-2(HER-2/neu) gene product have been found to play a role in carcinomas of 
the stomach, liver, breast, ovary and lungs. Recent reports have indicated that 
they are also involved in the growth of pancreatic ductal carcinoma, its 
invasiveness and metastasis.
PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-six patients with pancreatic ductal carcinoma were 
analysed with respect to sex, age, histological type, malignancy grade (G), pTN 
status (pTN), local lymph node involvement and distant metastasis. The tumor 
levels of EGF, EGFR and c-erbB-2 expression were determined 
immunohistochemically.
RESULTS: Expression of c-erbB-2 was observed in 24/36 cases, EGF in 13/36 cases 
and EGFR in 18/36 cases. Overexpression of EGF and EGFR was associated with 
metastasis to lymph nodes and other organs. A correlation was also found between 
EGF expression and the presence of EGFR in the tumour. The expression of 
c-erbB-2 protein was not found to correlate with any parameters.
CONCLUSION: EGF and EGFR play a key role in neoplastic spread through lymph node 
involvement and metastasis to other organs.