Prior to the x-ray era cases of gastric cancer, with few exceptions, were diagnosed only at an inoperable stage. Clinical methods usually did not permit of early recognition of the disease, and the result was the still existing horrible text-book picture of the hopeless stomach carcinoma. With the advent of roentgenology, and more especially the development of its gastro-intestinal branch, we have obtained a means of recognizing gastric cancer long before its inoperable stage, while, thanks to the cancer campaign, public interest in the importance of early diagnosis has been stirred up to such a degree that patients now, in contrast to former times, are seeking medical advice early in ever increasing numbers. It would be expected, therefore, that early medical consultation together with a prompt roentgen examination would have caused a rapid diminution in the number of inoperable cases and, in conjunction with timely operation, would have furnished a practical solution of the problem of gastric cancer. This hope has not been realized. Even now approximately 80 per cent of the patients, including many who have sought medical advice early, come to operation when it is too late. It is, therefore, self-evident that there must exist certain phases of this problem which still lack a proper understanding on the part of the profession. The writer has found two cases which shed an interesting light upon the problem. These two cases are among those rare instances in which the roentgenologist who has made a diagnosis of early malignancy is again called upon, years later, after the condition has reached an inoperable stage, to reexamine the patient. Fortunately, in both instances a complete history was obtained. The presentation of these two cases will enable us not only to trace the course of the disease from the earliest symptoms, but also to explain why, notwithstanding definite early roentgen diagnosis, the patients were allowed to drag along until the inoperable stage was reached.