Accuracy of Roentgen Diagnosis of Benign Gastric Ulcer

Abstract

RADIOLOGISTS, surgeons, and clinicians have found through experience that a certain number of gastric lesions diagnosed by roentgenologic methods as benign gastric ulcer have later proved to be carcinomatous. In the medical literature this diagnostic error is quoted as being from 5 to 20 per cent. From the maze of published material concerning benign gastric ulcer and its relationship to gastric carcinoma, a few conservative opinions may be gathered, although many of these will be argued pro and con until further study clarifies the whole cancer question. Briefly, the points of view expressed in the literature might be summarized as follows: 1. Nomenclature: Due to differences in course, prognosis, treatment, and possibly etiology, benign gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer should be classified separately and not grouped as “peptic ulcers.” 2. Etiology: Numerous theories have been advanced for the etiology of both gastric ulcer and gastric carcinoma, but the question still remains open. 3. Incidence of Gastr...