EARLY GASTRIC-CANCER - DIAGNOSIS, TREATMENT AND OUTCOME

The method of diagnosis, management and outcome in 18 patients with sy mptomatic early gastric cancer presenting to the Department of Surgica l Oncology were studied. The age range was 56-84 years. There were 12 mucosa only cancers and 5 with N1 nodal metastases. The diagnostic acc uracy of initial endoscopy was 38% rising to 61% when combined with hi stology. The remaining 8 patients required a median of 2.5 (2-5) endos copies before the diagnosis was made. Concurrent symptomatic therapy i n 7, produced complete resolution of symptoms in 6 and improvement in remaining case. Resection was undertaken in 17 patients and endoscopic excision in 1. The actuarial survival rate was 89% at a median follow up of 27 (1-80) months. Patients considered 'at risk' of early gastri c cancer should undergo serial investigation if initial endoscopy is n on diagnostic even when therapy cures their symptoms. Surgery for symp tomatic early gastric cancer is associated with a survival rate simila r to that reported in Japanese series.