Patterns of metastases in intestinal and diffuse types of carcinoma of the stomach

The pattern of the metastases in intestinal and diffuse types of gastric carcinoma were compared in 77 autopsy cases. Differences in the extent of the dissemination, in the distribution of metastases, and in the type of secondary involvement were found. The diffuse type of carcinoma showed a wider dissemination than the intestinal type. The intestinal type of carcinoma involved the liver more frequently and more extensively. Peritoneal metastases, lymphatic permeation of the lungs, and Krukenberg tumors were more commonly found in cases of the diffuse type.