[Growth and spread patterns of early gastric cancers]

The growth pattern, status of infiltration in the mucosa, the depth of infiltration of cancer cells and the major changes of gastric mucosa in 100 cases of early gastric cancer (EGC) were studied retrospectively. According to histopathological examination, the growth pattern and spread of EGC can be described as follows: (1) In-situ malignant change in glandular tubules; (2) Expanding growth; (3) Diffuse infiltration; (4) Cancer cell nest growth; (5) Addition growth of cancer focus; (6) Multicentric carcinogenesis. The authors found that the growth and spread patterns were diverse, since in many cases there were two or more histological types in the same tumor. Even a single cancer focus of a particular histological type may display different patterns of infiltration in different directions. The authors also compared and discussed the features of EGC differing from those of advanced gastric cancers.