Simple gastric lavage cytology in carcinoma stomach; its relevance to developing countries.

Fifty patients suffering from stomach carcinoma and other non-malignant abdominal disorders, comprising the study group and the control group respectively, were subjected to simple saline lavage for obtaining exfoliated cells from the gastric mucosa. A positive cytological diagnosis was made in 40% cases of carcinoma stomach while the control group gave only 5% false postive results.