Gastric cancer in young people.

Gastric carcinoma occurs in young people as well as old; incidence in various studies of patients from different age groups suggests that incidence varies more according to location than to age-incidence in young people can be up to 3% in some areas. Diaries of two women who were under age 35 at the time of diagnosis of gastric cancer are presented. Because the disease is relatively rare in the young and the symptoms are very similar to benign ulcers, the diagnosis is often made late. Radiological investigation, signs, symptoms and family history must be carefully scrutinized; if medical ulcer therapy has no effect, every attempt must be made to reach a further diagnosis as soon as possible.