Ulcer simulating gastric carcinoma. I. Diagnostic considerations and treatment.

Small ulcer-simulating carcinomas accounted for 3.9% (48 cases) of the 1324 patients with carcinoma of the stomach treated at the Second Department of Surgery, University Centtive of a malignant ulcer in 52% of the cases whereas gastroscopy combined with exfoliative gastric cytology gave 73% correct results. In spite of preoperative suspicion of malignancy most patients were operated on as for a benign ulcer. Partial distal gastrectomy without splenectomy was performed in 93% of the patients. There was no hospital mortality. The 5-year survival rate by the actuarial method was 63%.