Pure signet ring cell type early gastric carcinoma with extensive lymph node metastases--a case report.

A 42-year old man was admitted with indigestion and left upper quadrant pain. A gastrofiberscopic examination revealed a depressed, discolored lesion (1.5 × 1.5 cm) with converging irregular radiating folds in the antral portion, suggestive of early gastric cancer (type IIc). Histologically, signet ring cell carcinoma was seen. A subtotal gastrectomy was performed and the opeartive findings showed a shallow depression in the anterior wall of the greater curvature side in the antrum and multiple perigastric lymph node enlargment. On microscopic examination, the authors observed pure signet ring cell carcinoma confined to the mucosa but with widespread lymph node metastases.