[Endoscopic diagnosis of carcinoma in the operated stomach]

In 24 000 gastroscopies at 4 medical departments 705 subjects with gastric operations done more than 5 years before had been studied. 39 of 608 patients with Billroth II, 5 of 81 with Billroth I and 4 out of 15 with gastroenterostomy were found to be suffering from carcinoma of the gastric stump. The primary gastric operations were performed at a medium age of 40 years. The interval between surgery and development of carcinoma averaged 24 years and was shorter in patients operated at a higher age. Besides age and interval since operation risk factors were apparently former gastric ulcers or polyps. Indications for endoscopic follow-up studies of gastrectomized patients to improve surgical results with carcinoma of the gastric stump have been suggested.