Squamous cell carcinoma of the stomach.

A case of pure squamous cell carcinoma of the stomach in a 72-year-old male is reported. Epidermoid carcinomas of the stomach without a glandular cell component is a rare tumor, described in only 22 patients since 1905. It occurs mostly in males, with a male to female ratio of 5:1, affects a slightly younger age group as compared to adenocarcinoma, and has a predilection for the proximal stomach, especially along the lesser curvature. Squamous metaplasia resulting from injury to the gastric mucosa appears to have a role in the pathogenesis of this disease. The prognosis of squamous cell carcinoma of the stomach is probably less favorable than that of adenocarcinoma due to its higher frequency of lymphovascular invasion.