[Gastric carcinoma in the aged]

After examining the literature on the subject, all patients aged over 60 and admitted to the Surgical Pathology Department of Pavia University from 1-1-1974 to 31-12-1985, suffering from gastric carcinoma have been considered. From the results obtained it is concluded that stomach cancer is a disease that preferentially affects the IIIrd age, usually occurring with atypical symptomatology that leads the patient to underestimate the seriousness of the disease, and impeding early diagnosis that would be effective for therapeutic purposes. It is therefore essential for the necessary examination to be carried out at the first warning symptoms. Further, the general state of these patients has to be controlled and appropriate treatment sought to treat the various accompanying conditions and so prepare the patient for operation.