- Adenocarcinoma is the most common gastric neoplasm in small animals.
- 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:
- A diffuse infiltration of gastric mucosa by neoplastic glandular epithelial cells.
- Causes a diffuse rugal thickening.
- A more solitary lesion that is seen as a thick plaque-like lesion
- 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).
- Generally has a central erosion/ulceration of the tumour tissue.
- A diffuse infiltration of gastric mucosa by neoplastic glandular epithelial cells.
- The external appearance of an affected 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, lung, liver and adrenal glands.