Early gastric carcinoma

Seven cases of early gastric carcinoma are reported. This condition by definition refers to a carcinoma confined to the mucosa and submucosa only. The definition depends upon the depth of spread and not the surface area covered by tumour or the period over which it is believed to have been present. Each patient had a history indistinguishable from one of benign ulceration. All seven patients had barium meal studies, and in only two was the possibility of malignancy raised. In the other five patients the ulcers demonstrated radiologically were considered benign. Fibreoptic endoscopy was done in six cases; in three the appearances were suspicious of malignancy, and in the remaining three the lesions appeared benign. Biopsy specimens taken at endoscopy contained carcinomatous tissue in all six cases. The patients all had partial gastrectomy, and no recurrence has yet been found. The longest follow-up period is 36 months.