Early gastric cancer.

Abstract

Gastric cancer is a common cause of death in the Netherlands. The prognosis is generally poor at the time of diagnosis. The designation early gastric cancer (EGC) refers to a gastric carcinoma which does not infiltrate beyond the submucosa. This definition is not influenced by absence or presence of metastases or by the diameter of the tumour. The 5-year survival of EGC is 90% or more. In the Netherlands too, the diagnosis can regularly be made if--in the case of persistent vague upper abdominal complaints--an optimal radiological examination of the stomach is done. At even the slightest radiological suspicion, or if complaints persist in spite of negative radiological findings, gastroscopic examination and multiple aimed biopsies should follow. Personal observations in ten cases are presented.