[Relationship between free cancer cells in the abdominal cavity, serosal type and pathologic characteristics of gastric cancer].

Of 100 cases of gastric cancer, free cancer cells in the abdominal cavity were detected in 32 (32%). In serosal typing, the free cancer cells were often found in the tendonoid (62.2%) and diffused colour types (60.0%). When the area of serosa invasion was over 20 cm2, the positive rate was 56.6% and only 2.5% if below 20 cm2. Incidence of free cancer cells was related to the depth of cancer infiltration, being often found in S2 and S3. It was also related to the pathologic characteristics of gastric cancer. Free cancer cells were often seen in infiltrating type (Borrmann 3,4); histologically differentiated or undifferentiated adenocarcinomas; nest or diffuse growing types. In patients without metastasis in the peritoneum (P0), the positive rate was 26.1%. This study proved that Chen's serosal classification is correct and useful in assessing whether the cancer cells have penetrated through the serosa during operation. Different treatment should be used in cases with different serosal types. In addition to rational surgical operation, killing of the free cancer cells should be considered in tendonoid and diffused colour serosal types so as to prevent peritoneal metastasis.