SQUAMOUS-CELL CARCINOMA OF THE STOMACH

A case of pure squamous cell carcinoma of the stomach in a 72-year-old male is reported. Epidermoid carcinomas of the stomach without a glan dular cell component is a rare tumor, described in only 22 patients si nce 1905. It occurs mostly in males, with a male to female ratio of 5: 1, affects a slightly younger age group as compared to adenocarcinoma, and has a predilection for the proximal stomach, especially along the lesser curvature. Squamous metaplasia resulting from injury to the ga stric mucosa appears to have a role in the pathogenesis of this diseas e. The prognosis of squamous cell carcinoma of the stomach is probably less favorable than that of adenocarcinoma due to its higher frequenc y of lymphovascular invasion.