Managing Gastric Linitis Plastica : Keep the scalpel sheathed

Abstract

Gastric linitis plastica is a diffuse type of cancer which is characterised by a thickening and rigidity of the stomach wall. It is notorious for its failure to cause early symptoms, and patients with symptoms generally have a more advanced form of the disease. We report our 18-month-long experience of managing gastric linitis plastica at Barnsley District General Hospital, UK. In our series of 8 patients, only one patient was offered surgery; the rest were offered palliative or supportive treatment. The findings in our series were consistent with the available evidence that curative treatment is not an option for the majority of cases with linitis plastica.