Abstract
Gastric syphilis is a rare disease of the stomach, and may be confused with neoplastic condition clinically. In most cases previously reported, an accurate diagnosis is made only after surgery. The case we reported seems worth recording. A 29-year-old professional sportsman with severe epigastric pain who had been recom-mended to have surgery for probable malignant lymphoma consulted our clinic. Endo-scopic examination showed a luminal narrowing with thickened mucosa of the gastric antrum. X-ray examination showed poor distensibility and various sized nodular mucosal changes in the antrum, but irregularity and rigidity of the antral wall were unremarkable. Repeated biopsy could not reveal malignant findings, and a positive result of TPHA screening test suggested the probability of gastric syphilis. Upon detailed questioning, it was noted that he had had symptoms of syphilistic infection. Immediately after making a suspicion of gastric syphilis, the patient was placed on penicillin. Epigastric pain was relieved in a few days and endoscopic findings were improved noticeality in two weeks.
