EARLY CARCINOMA OF THE STOMACH

We analyzed data on 423 Japanese patients with early carcinoma of the stomach with respect to clinicopathologic features and prognosis. All patients were treated in the clinics at which we work. The upper one-t hird of the stomach was less frequently involved. Therefore, partial g astrectomy was performed more often in patients with early carcinoma o f the stomach than in those with advanced carcinoma of the stomach. Th e differentiated type of carcinoma of the stomach was more frequent an d grew expansively. Lymph node metastasis was noted in 11.6 percent of the patients, lymphatic vessel involvement was evident in 13.5 percen t and extensive lymph node dissection (R2 or R3) was performed in 86.0 percent. The 15 year survival rate for patients with early carcinoma of the stomach was 89.0 percent. Lymph node metastasis, differentiated tumor type and patient age proved to be independent prognostic factor s, as determined by multivariate analysis. Increased detection of earl y carcinoma of the stomach in its curable stages may be achieved throu gh gastrointestinal series and endoscopy for symptomatic patients. A c lose follow-up evaluation is essential to detect recurrences, even whe n a curative resection is performed.