Gastric carcinoma

Conclusions

In reviewing any large number of cases it will be found that early cancerous lesions of the stomach present no typically definite symptoms and that those listed in our books are those exhibiting symptoms of advanced malignancy; that gastric carcinoma at times manifests itself in atypical forms. For these reasons it is necessary to revaluate the symptoms and clinical histories for teaching purposes. Such teaching that symptoms are always gradual, that pain is always constant and dull, that a mass is always palpable, that weight loss is an extremely important factor and that there is a definite cancer age should be modified in face of repeated contradictory post mortem findings. Instead, stress should be placed upon finding the early gastric cancer by suspecting every case of continuous gastric distress as a potential malignancy until proved otherwise.