Diagnosis of superficial or very small gastric cancers

Thirteen superficial or very small gastric cancers are described, 10 of which were diagnosed preoperatively. Five patients presented with gastric ulcer, five with radiological deformities of uncertain nature and two with polypoid lesions; one cancer was an incidental finding at emergency operation. Two of the patients had a family history of gastric cancer, two had pernicious anemia and three were born in countries where gastric cancer is common. Gastric cytology was positive in eight of the nine patients examined. A follow-up study of patients investigated for stomach cancer three to five years previously suggests that suspected gastric cancer is seldom missed for long periods if the diagnostic workup is thorough.