A CASE OF GASTRIC CANCER WITH REMARKABLE CALCIFICATION AND A REVIEW OF 31 CASES IN THE JAPANESE LITERATURE

Calcification in gastric cancer is histologically rarely observed. However, it seems very rare that plain abdominal X-ray film demonstrates calcification in gastric cancer. Recently, we experienced a case of gastric cancer with clear calcification on the preoperative plain abdominal X-ray film. The patient was a 43-year-old woman with the chief complaint of dysphagia. We discuss this patient in conjunction other reported cases in Japan. So far, the finding of calcification in gastric cancer by abdominal X-ray film has been reported in 31 cases including the present one. The average age of the patients is 45.2 years, with 22 being women and nine men. A characteristic feature of the calcification image by plain abdominal X-ray film is a small spot several millimeters in diameter. All cases were advanced cancers, and the focus was broad, extending over two or more regions in many cases. Histologically, all patients showed mucinous adenocarcinoma. It has been reported that dystrophic calcification and ontogenic calcification play central roles in the mechanism of calcification in gastric cancer.