Therapeutic status of stomach cancer in East Germany in 1976 from the surgical viewpoint. A statistical analysis of national and clinical results

: Treatment results are reported about 6 220 cases, registered in the National Cancer Registry of the GDR in 1976. 43.7% had only a symptomatic treatment. 56.0% were operated and only 21.0% were resected. Overall postoperative mortality was 20.6%. Out of these patients resected radically only 24.7% had a 5-year-survival. The overall 5-year-survival rate was 5.1%. Regarding site, stage and surgical methods these results are not satisfying and have to be improved. Therefore, the necessity of regional concentration of gastric cancer treatment is emphasized.