Objective: To determine the presence and intensity of the metaplasia in samples of gastric cancer; to draw correlation among metaplasia presence, advanced carcinoma and occurrence of lymph node metastases. Methodology: A descriptive and retrospective study of a series of cases was accomplished. The population was composed by all the submitted patients submitted to the total or partial gastrectomy in Our Hospital Nossa Senhora da Conceição in the city of Tubarão/SC, in the period from January 1, 1993 to December 31, 2003, resulting in 53 cases. Information regarding sex and age was obtained in
the moment of the diagnosis, histological type of gastric carcinoma according to Laurén, invasion degree and occurrence
of lymph node metastases according to the system TNM, correlations were later drawn with the presence and intensity of the intestinal metaplasia in the periphery of the tumor. Results: The metaplasia was present in 51% of the cases, being more prevalente in the intestinal histological type. In the cases without associated metaplasia, there was 60% more chance of presenting carcinoma of the advanced type. There was significant relationship (p = 0.031) between metaplasia presence and occurrence of lymph node metastases, existing 43% less chance of lymphatic attack when metaplasia is present.

Keywords: 1. Intestinal Metaplasia;
2. Gastric carcinoma;
3. Prognostic.