Early Gastric Carcinoma

Abstract

Seven cases of early gastric carcinoma are reported. This condition by definition refers to a carcinoma confined to the m w o s a and submucosa only. T h e definition depends upon :he depth of spread and not the surface area covered b y turnour or the period over which it is believed to have been present. Each patient had a history indistinguishable f r o m one o f benign ulceration. All seven patients had barium meal studies, and in only two was the possibility of malignancy raised. I n the other five patients the ulcers demonstrate+ radiologically were considered benign. Fibreoptic endoscopy was done in six cases; m three the appearances were suspicious o f malignancy, and in the remaining three the lesions appeared benign. Biopsy specimens taken at endoscopy contained carcinomatow tissue in all six cases. T h e patients all had partial gastrectomy, and no recurrence hm j e t been found. T h e longest follow-up period is 36 months.