Borrmann classification

Oncology, staging and radiology

Also known as: Borrmann-Klassifikation (Magenkarzinom) · Borrmann sınıflaması · Borrmann classification of advanced gastric cancer

What it is for

Macroscopic (endoscopic or gross) classification of advanced gastric carcinoma by growth pattern.

Category	Description
Type I	polypoid (fungating) mass, well demarcated, protruding into the lumen.
Type II	ulcerated tumour with sharply demarcated, raised margins (ulcerative localised).
Type III	ulcerated tumour with poorly defined margins infiltrating the surrounding wall (ulcero-infiltrative).
Type IV	diffusely infiltrating tumour with ill-defined margins and thickened, rigid wall (scirrhous type, linitis plastica).
Japanese extension	type 0 = superficial (early) cancer with its own subtypes; type 5 = unclassifiable advanced cancer.

Geschwülste des Magens und Duodenums

In: Henke F, Lubarsch O (eds). Handbuch der speziellen pathologischen Anatomie und Histologie, Band IV/1. Springer, Berlin 1926:812–1054 (Borrmann R)

Edition: Borrmann 1926; used for advanced gastric cancer in the Japanese Classification of Gastric Carcinoma (types 1–4, type 5 unclassifiable; type 0 = superficial early cancer)
Checked on: 4 November 2026
Checked against: pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13553887
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12801805
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9911618

Summary of the published classification in our own words. Not a substitute for the original publication.

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