Gastric Linitis Plastica

Abstract

Linitis plastica (LP) denotes a diffuse, intramurally infiltrating, primary or secondary anaplastic adenocarcinoma in a hollow structure, resulting in a shrunken organ with thickened walls. The neoplasm is encountered in every segment of gastrointestinal tract, with the gastric localization being the most frequent. An endoscopic aspect of large gastric folds that fail to distend on insufflations, covered by a nodular mucosa with carmine red lesions or a leopard skin appearance, are suggestive for gastric linitis. Cases are presented with LP originating from a gastric undifferentiated carcinoma and LP originating from metastatic lobular carcinoma of the breast. The aim of this presentation is to increase awareness among clinicians of LP and to stimulate clinicians to always rule out the possibility of mammary origin in circumstances of diffuse gastric cancer occurring in females. The diagnosis of LP and differentiation between primary gastric carcinoma and metastatic breast carcinoma is essential for planning the correct therapeutic approach, in order to avoid unnecessary surgery. This article is part of an expert video encyclopedia.