Synchronous Multiple Gastric Cancer

Abstract

Synchronous multiple gastric cancer was observed in 53 (8.1%) of 654 specimens resected at our department during a 15 year-period. Elderly and male patients had a relatively high incidence of multiple gastric cancer. The main lesions of multiple cancer were found in the early stage as compared with solitary ones. In cases in which the main lesion was located at the lower or middle third of the stomach, over 80% of the accessory lesions were found within 5 cm of the main lesion. Accessory lesions were found diffusely in cases in which the main lesion was located at the upper third. Accessory lesions were found to be early cancer in 69% of cases and their size was within 2 cm in maximum diameter. Careful preoperative examination should be carried out, especially in cases in which the main lesion will be resected with limited margins, so as not to miss accessory lesions, which are frequently located at within 5cm of the main lesion.