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.