[Importance of biopsy in stomach ulcer]

Gastric biopsies in peptic ulcer are to be taken from various sites of the organ. This is due to the fact that the differential diagnosis between gastric ulcer and ulcerative carcinoma is the most important goal of biopsy. Therefore, at least 4-6 pieces should be dissected from the bottom and margins of ulcers as 1-2 pieces of the biopsy taken may show no elements of tumor tissue. Single biopsies may be not only useless, but hazardous to the patient while "pseudonegative" resolutions of a morphologist soothe the patient and his physician and delay the time of examination. Biopsy specimens give an insight into the stages of peptic ulcer, features of a reparative process and its abnormalities.