Gastric carcinoma after treatment of ulcer.

In a study comparing 1,496 gastric cancer patients with 1,496 matched control patients, gastrectomy or simple gastrojejunostomy for ulcer predisposed to gastric cancer whereas medical ulcer treatment did not. Gastric carcinomas after ulcer surgery appeared after age 50 years. The time interval between ulcer treatment and the appearance of gastric cancer gradually decreased as the patients' age approached 50 years. The selection of operated ulcer patients for gastroscopic evaluation should be based on age rather than sex, location of the ulcer, ulcer-cancer interval or type of ulcer operation. Gastroscopy was the most effective diagnostic tool in the management of such patients.