Mucinous adenocarcinoma of the stomach-clinicopathological studies

The clinical and morphological features of 58 cases of the rare mucinous adenocarcinoma of the stomach (MUC) were investigated and compared to those of other pathological types. The incidence of MUC was only 2.9% of all cases of resected gastric cancer. Among the 58 cases of MUC, the incidence of early cases was only 19% (Group 1), while among other pathological types of cancer, it was 42% (Group 2) (p < 0.001). The incidence of early mucosal cancer was 0% in Group 1, and 54% in Group 2 of the resected early gastric cancer. The incidence of lymph node metastasis rate was 81% in Group 1, and was 46% in Group 2 (p < 0.001). The presence of peritoneal dissemination was 21% in Group 1, and was 8% in Group 2 (p < 0.001). The incidence of liver metastasis pre- and intraoperatively was 0% in Group 1, and was 3.5% in Group 2. The overall 5-year-survival rate was 45% in Group 1, and was 61% in Group 2 (p < 0.05). In stage III, the 5-year-survival rate was 30% in Group 1, and was 49% in Group 2 (p < 0.05). There was no statistical prognostic difference between the two groups in stage I, II and stage IV. Therefore, to improve the outcome for MUC, more effective radical gastrectomy and aggressive immunochemotherapy should be selected especially for stage III mucinous adenocarcinoma of the stomach.