[Changes in the endocrine apparatus of the gastric mucosa in forms of cancer of varying origin].

The authors studied endocrine apparatus of the mucous membrane of 53 stomachs in various forms of carcinoma. Silver impregnation and electron microscopy were used as well as routine histology and histochemistry. All the tumors were divided into endocrine-cell and non-endocrine-cell tumors (ET and NET). Cells of the diffuse endocrine system take an important part in the development of the background and pretumorous processes in the stomach mucous membrane. Endocrinocyte hyperplasia, degree I and II, of the mucous membrane of the antrum and enterolysation foci was the background for all NET. Endocrinocyte hyperplasia was more pronounced (degree II and III) in ET and spread to the fundal glands being combined with endocrinocyte dysplasia and metaplasia. These changes are assessed as precancerous for tumors with high content of endocrinocytes.