Abstract

Background: Signet ring cell carcinoma of the stomach corresponds to 3 to 39% of all gastric malignant tumors, and its prognostic significance is not well known. Aim: To compare the prognosis of signet ring cell carcinoma of the stomach with other types of gastric cancer. Material and Methods: Review of 451 patients operated for gastric carcinoma. Signet ring cell carcinomas were compared with the rest of tumors. Results: One hundred twenty tumors (27%) were signet ring cell carcinoma, they were more commonly located in the lower third of the stomach, were less differentiated, bigger and had more lymph nodes involved. Patients with this variety of tumor were younger, more often women and their survival was lower, even when separating incipient and advanced tumors. Conclusions: Signet ring cell carcinoma of the stomach had a worst prognosis that other type of gastric tumors.