10 YEARS ENDOSCOPIC DIAGNOSIS OF EARLY GASTRIC CANCER IN EUROPE

In two different inquiries concerning the diagnosis of gastric cancer and especially early gastric cancer (E.G.C.) (comprising the years 1968-1977) we collected all over Europe 872,376 gastroscopies with 2832 E.G.C. (0.3%). For 739,360 gastroscopies a total of 39,953 gastric cancers was reported of which 2475 were E.G.C. (6.2%). One E.G.C. was found in 308 gastroscopies. The ulcerating types (IIc and III) were the most frequent ones. The antrum, including angulus and pylorus, and the Magenstraße may be considered as zones of predilection. 94% of all patients with an E.G.C. have had complaints for several months or years before. Gastro-intestinal bleeding is found in 11.4% of the patients over the age of 40.40% of E.G.C. were found in women. 60% in men. E.G.C. is the most frequent from the 6th to the 8th decade of age. Diagnosis of cancer is made by biopsy and/or cytology. The accuracy of diagnosis correlates with the number of biopsy particles from the lesion. A previous, carefully done X-ray examination increases the efficiency of gastroscopy in finding an E.G.C. © 1979 Springer-Verlag.