Linitis plastica

Linitis plastica is a morphological subtype of diffusive gastric adenocarcinoma. It is characterized by thickening of the stomach wall and its rigidity (higher stiffness), which is caused by fibrosis. The symptoms of this type of adenocarcinoma come later compared to other morphological types, so if it does appear, the tumor is already at an advanced stage.

Morphology

 * Macroscopically: the majority of the stomach or the entire wall is affected. The mucosa is not affected by ulceration or other defects. The stomach takes on the appearance of an old leather bottle.


 * Microscopically: contains anaplastic cells (low differentiated) with mucin vacuoles that push the nucleus to the periphery. They look like rings in appearance. Therefore, they are called annular.

Treatment and prognosis
As it is often discovered in an advanced state, surgical solutions are not very successful. The tumor has already metastasized frequently (see gastric adenocarcinoma) and therefore chemotherapy is being initiated.

Source

 * Jafferbhoy S, Shiwani H, Rustum Q. Managing Gastric Linitis Plastica: Keep the scalpel sheathed. Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal. 2013;13(3):451-453.
 * Jafferbhoy S, Shiwani H, Rustum Q. Managing Gastric Linitis Plastica: Keep the scalpel sheathed. Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal. 2013;13(3):451-453.