Gastric adenocarcinoma. A disease in transition.

Two hundred eleven gastric adenocarcinomas diagnosed from 1967 to 1982 were analyzed. Thirty-four percent had a proximal location, a proportionate increase from previous decades that suggested a distinctive epidemiology. Diffuse histology occurred in 49% of cases overall and in 55% of unresectable cases, which were also increases from previous decades. No deaths followed curative resections, two (4%) of 50 patients with palliative resections died, and three (6%) of 54 patients who underwent exploration without resection died, indicating improved operative management. Superficial gastric cancer constituted 6% of cases; 91% were cured. Seventeen percent of cases were linitis plastica and required total gastrectomy in 77% of resections; only 13% of patients had curative operations; none were cured. Seventy-nine percent of cases were polypoid or ulcerated focal cancers. Of operable focal cancers, 72% were resected; 27 (47%) of 57 patients who underwent resection for cure survived five years, a distinct improvement from previous reports, as was the overall survival of 21%.