Early gastric cancer (e.g.c.) was detected in 23 patients (7.8%) from a total of 293 gastric cancers observed from 1970 to 1985. Clinical and pathological aspects are discussed. In 19 cases the surgical treatment was subtotal gastrectomy for lesions of the middle and lower third, in 4 cases total gastrectomy for tumors of the upper third and of the greater curvature.