STUDIES ON METASTASIS OF GASTRIC CANCER (THE FIRST REPORT)

The metastasis of the gastric cancer in the lymphnodes is macro-scopically classified in three types; the small nodular sporadic type being commonly observed, the large nodular localized type relatively bengin and the false type in which swelled lymphnodes are microscopically not invated by cancer cells but merely inflammtaic.Concerning the malignancy of the cancer, similar features have been macroscopically and microscopically observed in the metastasis of the lymphnodes as well as its original cancer of the stomach.Our clinical and experimental studies have revealed the fact that the size of the nuclei of the cancer cells plays an important role in the metastasis-formation. That is, the cancer cells with the nuclei of smaller size develop a widespread metastasis, while those with bigger size make a localized one.The gastric cancer with metastasis in the liver mostly shows the large nodular localized type.On the other hand, many differences have been observed in gastric cancer between the greater and lesser curvatures. Macroscopically diffuse infiltration is always seen on the side of the lesser curvature, while it is never observed in the side of the greater culvature. The size of the nuclei of the cancer cells is bigger on the side of the greater curvature than that of the lesser. The rate of growth of the stroma being considered a vital defensive reaction is higher on the side of the greater curvature. The ribo-nucleic acid content is more in the cancer cells of the lesser curvature than in those of the greater.