Intestine, Diffuse type (signet ring cell variant) gastric adenocarcinoma

Gastric carcinoma is broadly categorized into two types: intestinal and diffuse. The intestinal type is presumed to arise from gastric mucosa that has undergone intestinal metaplasia. It is characterized by an expansile growth pattern of well-defined glandular structures. Diffuse type gastric cancer is characterized by an infiltrative growth pattern of poorly-differentiated adenocarcinoma, often with signet ring cells. These carcinoma cells contain varying amounts of intracytoplasmic mucin that can displace and depress the nucleus. The mucin can be identified by staining with PAS and other mucin stains.

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