A Case of Gastric Cancer with Calcification

Gastric cancer associated with calcification is comparatively rare. A case of Borrmann 3 type gastric cancer showing calcification on a plain abdominal X-ray film is reported. The patient was a 36-year-old female with a chief complaint of epigastric discomfort. A diagnosis of Borrmann 3 type gastric cancer (signet-ring cell carcinoma) of the fundus was made on the basis of upper endoscopy. A plain abdominal X-ray, upper GI series, abdominal CT, and abdominal ultrasound examination demonstrated small stippled calcification in the gastric cancer. Total gastrectomy and pancreatico-splenectomy were performed with No.1, No.3 lymph node metastasis and serous invasion present (P0H0S2N1 Stage III R2 Cur A). The resected specimen showed depth of invasion se, n1 (+), and no invasion of the pancreas or spleen. Calcium phosphate and calcium carbonate were detected in the calcifications. The patient was followed postoperatively, but died of recurrence of her cancer 10 months later. The mechanism of calcification in gastric cancer is discussed with reference to the literature.