[Early gastric cancer: staging and diagnostic-therapeutic trends]

The Authors in reviewing the main epidemiological and histological features of Early Gastric Cancer, dwell upon the atypical symptomatology pointing out the importance of an early diagnosis for a successful surgical treatment. Furthermore, they affirm the primary role of subtotal gastrectomy, associated with regional lymphadenectomy and omentectomy. At last, the need to extend postoperative follow-up to the main abdominal and thoracic organs for the frequency of synchronous or metachronous neoplasms is stressed.