[Early gastric carcinoma detection by endoscopy and biopsy; clinical experiences (author's transl)]

This report presents the clinical features of 15 cases of early gastric cancer detected amont altogether 144 gastric cancers diagnosed with the aid of gastroscopy and directed biopsy in a series of 2953 patients. Since the clinical and laboratory data of the patients with early gastric cancer do not provide satisfactory diagnostic evidence, careful X-ray examination must be carried out in all cases with long-standing symptoms relating to the upper part of the abdomen, especially in patients over 40 years old. Gastroscopy is essential in the clarification of any suspected pathological signs indicated by the radiologists and, furthermore, in all cases in which no radiological diagnosis was reached to account for the patient's symptoms. During gastroscopy multiple biopsy specimens should be taken from all lesions which may mask any type of the early cancers. The importance of regular endoscopic examination of high-risk persons for gastric cancer is emphasized.