Changes

* This is a tumour of the mucosal epithelium.

* This is a tumour of the mucosal epithelium.

These are genreally found in the fundus (particularly along the lesser curvature), and in the pylorus. There are two main internal appearances of gastric adenocarcinoma, both of which show thickened, oedematous, pale and firm tissue:[[Image:adenocarcinoma stomach.jpg|thumb|right|100px|Adenocarcinoma- gross (Courtesy of BioMed Image Archive)]]

These are genreally found in the fundus (particularly along the lesser curvature), and in the pylorus. There are two main internal appearances of gastric adenocarcinoma, both of which show thickened, oedematous, pale and firm tissue:[[Image:adenocarcinoma stomach.jpg|thumb|right|100px|Adenocarcinoma- gross (Courtesy of BioMed Image Archive)]]

*# A diffuse infiltration of gastric mucosa by neoplastic glandular epithelial cells.

# A diffuse infiltration of gastric mucosa by neoplastic glandular epithelial cells.

*#* Causes a diffuse rugal thickening.  

#* Causes a diffuse rugal thickening.  

*# A more solitary lesion that is seen as a thick plaque-like lesion

# A more solitary lesion that is seen as a thick plaque-like lesion

*#* Generally has a central erosion/ulceration of the tumour tissue.  

#* Generally has a central erosion/ulceration of the tumour tissue.  

*#** Distinguishable from  a peptic ulcer as the edges of the eroded area are raised and thickened (tumour tissue).  

#** Distinguishable from  a peptic ulcer as the edges of the eroded area are raised and thickened (tumour tissue).  

* The external appearance of an affected [[Monogastric Stomach - Anatomy & Physiology|stomach]] can include thickening of the draining lymphoid vessels due to tumour infiltration ('cording of the lymphatics') and evidence of a scirrhous reaction to the carcinoma.

* The external appearance of an affected [[Monogastric Stomach - Anatomy & Physiology|stomach]] can include thickening of the draining lymphoid vessels due to tumour infiltration ('cording of the lymphatics') and evidence of a scirrhous reaction to the carcinoma.

* Adenocarcinomas are locally aggressive and spread via the lymphatics to the [[Lymph Nodes - Anatomy & Physiology|lymph nodes]], lung, [[Liver - Anatomy & Physiology|liver]] and [[Adrenal Glands - Anatomy & Physiology|adrenal glands]].

* Adenocarcinomas are locally aggressive and spread via the lymphatics to the [[Lymph Nodes - Anatomy & Physiology|lymph nodes]], lung, [[Liver - Anatomy & Physiology|liver]] and [[Adrenal Glands - Anatomy & Physiology|adrenal glands]].