What is a common feature of linitis plastica on histological examination?

Linitis plastica, also known as the "leather bottle" stomach, is a term used to describe a specific type of gastric cancer that leads to thickening and rigidity of the stomach wall. A key histological feature of linitis plastica is the presence of signet ring cells. These cells are characterized by their distinct morphology, where the cytoplasm contains mucin, pushing the nucleus to the periphery, which gives them a "signet ring" appearance.

The presence of signet ring cells indicates a particular type of gastric carcinoma, most commonly associated with diffuse-type gastric cancer. This type of cancer tends to infiltrate the gastric wall more extensively than other types, notably leading to the characteristic thickened wall and associated clinical symptoms.

While necrosis, fibrous tissue and ulceration are significant histological findings in various cancers or conditions, they do not specifically define the histological characteristics of linitis plastica in the same way that signet ring cells do. Therefore, the presence of these cells is a hallmark feature that helps in the diagnosis of linitis plastica on histological examination.