Gastric carcinoma is the most common malignancy in Korea. The peak incidence of gastric carcinoma is over 50 years of age and male predominance, about 2:1. Computed tomography scan is the one of the most useful diagnostic tool for evaluation of extension, staging and operability of gastric carcinoma. For evaluation of the utility of the preoperative computed tomography scan in gastric carcinoma, surgically proved 72 cases of gastric carcinoma were analyzed by modified Moss classification¹⁾ based on computed tomography scan and pathological classification.

The results were as follows ;

1) The accuracy of computed tomography scan in each stage of gastric carcinoma was 100% in stage I. 67% in stage II. 69% in stage III. and 85% in stage IV.

2) The overall accuracy of computed tomography scan for staging of gastric carinoma was 72%.

3) The accuracy of computed tomography scan for detection of regional lymph node metastasis was 78%. and 90% for retroperitineal lymph node metastasis.

4) The accuracy of computed tomography scan for detection of distant metastasis was 90%.

5) Computed tomography scan was the most useful diagnostic method for evaluation of extension and metastasis of gastric carcinoma and it is necessary for treatment planning and prognostic evaluation before surgery.