SMALL-CELL CARCINOMA OF THE STOMACH - CASE-REPORT AND REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

Small cell carcinoma of the stomach is an unusual and rare neoplasm with only eight reported cases in the world literature. Like small cell carcinomas elsewhere, they possess rapid growth ability and high propensity to metastasize with short survival. Clinically, small cell carcinoma is indistinguishable from adenocarcinoma. Because of the rarity of gastric small cell carcinoma, there is minimal information available on the optimal treatment. Herein, we report on a patient with metastatic pure small cell carcinoma of the stomach. He underwent palliative surgery and postoperative combination chemotherapy with transient partial response. He died 10 months after diagnosis with progressive widespread disease. © 1990 Plenum Publishing Corporation.