Which term is used to refer to diffuse type adenocarcinoma in the Lauren classification?

In the context of the Lauren classification of gastric carcinomas, the term that specifically refers to diffuse type adenocarcinoma is indeed linitis plastica. This classification differentiates gastric cancers into two main types: intestinal and diffuse.

Diffuse type adenocarcinoma is characterized by poorly cohesive cells that infiltrate the gastric wall, leading to a thickened, rigid appearance of the stomach, often described as "leather bottle" or "linitis plastica." This results from the infiltration of cancer cells throughout the gastric wall, causing a reduction in its distensibility and leading to symptoms such as gastric outlet obstruction.

Linitis plastica reflects this significant desmoplastic reaction, wherein the cancer cells induce a fibrous response, further reinforcing the rigid structure of the stomach. Recognizing this association is crucial for diagnosis and understanding the clinical implications of the disease.

Other terms mentioned do not fit this aspect of diffuse type adenocarcinoma in the Lauren classification. For example, signet ring carcinoma describes a subtype of diffuse adenocarcinoma where the tumor cells contain mucin and exhibit a distinct cytoplasmic appearance, but it does not encompass the broader concept of linitis plastica. Medullary carcinoma and pyloric adenocarcinoma