Risk of gastric stump carcinoma after gastric resection for benign ulcer disease.

This follow-up study concerns 537 patients who underwent gastric resection for gastric or duodenal ulcer disease 10-13, 21-22, or 31-32 years ago. 12 (2.2%) gastric stump carcinomas were found. The development of gastric stump cancer among these patients was compared with the development of gastric cancer in a general Finnish population. In the oldest male follow-up group the observed: expected ratio for cancer was 9:3.5. This was statistically almost significant (p less than 0.05). No statistical difference could be seen in the other follow-up groups. Gastric stump carcinoma showed a strong male preponderance, with a male:female ratio of 11:1. The primary ulcer disease, whether gastric or duodenal, had no influence on the development of gastric stump carcinoma. Endoscopic screening is recommended for all male patients operated on aged 45 years or younger when 15 years have elapsed since the original gastric operation.