The Lauren classification divides gastric adenocarcinomas into two main types:
| Feature | Intestinal Type | Diffuse Type |
|---|---|---|
| Frequency | 50–70% | 20–30% |
| Histology | Well-differentiated glandular structures; resembles colonic adenocarcinoma | Poorly cohesive cells; signet ring cells; no gland formation |
| Growth pattern | Cohesive, mass-forming | Infiltrative, diffuse |
| Associated factors | H. pylori, chronic gastritis, intestinal metaplasia, older age | Hereditary diffuse gastric cancer (CDH1 mutation), younger age |
| Prognosis | Relatively better | Worse; often advanced at diagnosis |
| Geographic variation | More common in high-incidence areas (East Asia, Latin America) | More common in low-incidence areas (Western countries) |
In India and other high-incidence countries, intestinal-type adenocarcinoma remains the predominant form due to high prevalence of H. pylori infection and chronic gastritis. The diffuse type, though less common globally, carries a poorer prognosis and is often associated with hereditary syndromes (hereditary diffuse gastric cancer).
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