Perforation in malignant disease of the stomach.

Perforation of the stomach occurring as a complication of malignant disease is a rare event. Patients often present with a prior history suggestive of benign gastrointestinal disease followed by an abrupt episode of abdominal pain. Silent perforations are unusual, but do occur. The radiographic criteria of the ulcer crater suggest benign disease in the majority of cases an it is only when there is a definitive operation the differentiation from benign disease is difficult and multiple biopsies of the ulcer are necessary. Perforation is a catastrophic complication and survival beyond one year is uncommon.