PROGNOSTIC-SIGNIFICANCE OF HISTOLOGICAL TYPE IN GASTRIC-CARCINOMA WITH INVASION CONFINED TO THE STOMACH WALL

Survival was determined after resection for the two main histological types of gastric carcinoma, intestinal (n = 223) and diffuse (n = 170) , in 393 patients with pT1 or pT2 tumours. Lymph node metastases were present in 94 patients. The 10-year survival rate was significantly lo wer for patients with intestinal-type than for those with diffuse-type carcinoma (72 versus 91 per cent, P < 0.005). In patients without nod al involvement, the 10-year survival rate was still lower for those wi th intestinal-type cancer (70 versus 94 per cent, P < 0.01). Recurrenc e of carcinoma was more often by haematogenous dissemination in patien ts with intestinal-type cancer. Although the results of resection for pT1 or pT2 gastric carcinoma can be acceptable, the introduction of ad juvant therapy based on histological findings may be necessary for pat ients with the intestinal type of cancer to prevent haematogenous spre ad of carcinoma to the liver.