An indolent diffuse infiltrating gastric carcinoma

Chong VH, Telisinghe PU, Yapp SK
Correspondence: Dr Chong Vui Heng, chongvuih@yahoo.co.uk

ABSTRACT
Gastric cancer is a common gastrointestinal cancer and is an important cause of cancer mortality. Unfortunately, it is often diagnosed late due to delayed presentation. We report the case of a 48-year-old man who was diagnosed with diffuse infiltrating gastric adenocarcinoma and who had initially declined surgery. The patient presented again the following year, and the repeat evaluations showed similar findings. Despite this, the patient continued to decline interventions. Six years later, as his symptoms increased, the patient finally underwent surgery. Histology revealed a diffuse infiltrating stage T3 tumour, with significant desmoplastic reaction and negative lymphadenopathies. Seven years after the surgery, the patient remained well and recurrence-free. This case highlights that some cancers have an indolent course, and even with significant delay, curative interventions can still be performed.

Keywords: gastric cancer, mucinous adenocarcinoma, signet ring cell carcinoma, survival
Singapore Med J 2010; 51(7): e126-e128