Neoplastic argentaffin cells in gastric and intestinal carcinomas

Histochemical examination for argentaffin cells in 382 gastric and 81 intestinal carcinomas was carried out, and revealed that 3.1% of gastric and 2.5% of intestinal carcinomas contained argentaffin cells as an integral element of the tumor. Occurrence of these specific cells was predominantly encountered among diffuse carcinoma of the stomach. A hitherto undescribed case of diffuse carcinoma of the stomach containing numerous argentaffin cells is reported, and the term “diffuse argentaffinoma” is suggested. The findings obtained may provide the background for the possible presence of gastric cancer in patients who have a carcinoid syndrome.