[Carcinoma of the upper portion of the stomach; proximal partial gastrectomy or total gastrectomy].

Significance of proximal partial gastrectomy for carcinoma of the upper portion of the stomach is reported. The 5-year postoperative survival rate was 58% in patients receiving proximal partial gastrectomy while it was 61% in those undergoing total gastrectomy. With respect to stage III cancer cases, there was no difference in the 5-year postoperative survival between the 2 groups. Therefore, we suppose that proximal partial gastrectomy is a treatment of choice for patients with carcinoma of the upper portion of the stomach. Late postoperative laboratory examination showed less incidence of hyperchromic anemia in patients receiving proximal partial gastrectomy, and lowered serum vitamin B12 level was noted in patients undergoing total gastrectomy. Hypergastrinemia was found in patients receiving proximal partial gastrectomy, although its physiologic significance remains to be elucidated.