[Malignization of pyloric ulcer]

214 patients with pyloric ulcer were examined. All of them underwent endoscopic examination of the upper parts of the gastrointestinal tract. Malignant pyloric ulcer was detected in 20 patients; 19 of them were operated on. Histological examination of the resected material established malignant transformation of chronic ulcer in 9 patients out of 20 (4.4% of all cases of chronic pyloric ulcer). A concept of pylorobulbaric ulcer is suggested. It was found that this type of ulcer may undergo malignant transformation, too. Endoscopy proved to be the major diagnostic method in identification of malignant pyloric ulcer. The results of endoscopic examination with aiming biopsy provide the basis for determining the extent of surgical procedure. Endoscopic symptoms of malignant pyloric ulcer are discussed. It is noted that the latter were absent in one third of cases. No malignancies were detected in those cases during surgery, either.