Early gastric cancer in clinical practice

A description of four patients with early gastric cancer diagnosed by endoscopy is reported. All patients presented with type III (excavated or ulcerative) early gastric cancer. Early gastric cancer appeared to be slow growing in three patients, and was difficult to diagnose in two cases, especially when associated with large gastric ulcers. Endoscopic biopsy of nonhealing or recurrent gastric ulcers and endoscopic follow-up to complete ulcer healing are recommended.