Carcinoma of the stomach. A ten-year material.

1959-68 220 patients from Aust-Agder County were admitted to the Central Hospital with carcinoma of the stomach. The material is analysed and discussed. The average age of the patients was 69.4 years. A palpable tumour was found in 96 patients (46%); of these 6 survived 5 years. A short case history is connected with a better prognosis. One hundred and forty-nine patients (71.3%) underwent laparotomy, and the tumour could be removed in 94 cases (45%). The standard treatment has been partial gastrectomy according to Billroth II. Better results can possibly be achieved if the diagnosis is made at an earlier stage, which means before the tumour causes classical symptoms. Early gastrectomy is recommended in cases of ulcer of the stomach or X-ray negative dyspepsia.