Abstract: In the present study,we compared the gastric gland cysts(GGC)of 6 0 cases of benign and advanced gastric carcinoma, and found higher cystic indez(CI, CI=number of GGC/length of gastric mucosa) in gastric carcinoma and pericanc erous mucosa than in benign lesions and nonpericancerous mucosa. GGC was not related to the patients age and sea，and showed no direct causality with inflammation, The results above indicated the close relation between GGC and advanced gastric carcinoma.we first clearly put forward IOOwm of the transverse diameter as the minimum for di- agnosing GGC microscopically.In our opinion,GGC may result from the pseudopyloric metapl asia，or activation of intes tine gene in the stem cells of gastric glands.GGC may be related to the occurrence of 'gastric cancer in following aspects: 1.GGC itself becoming malignant,2,GGC facilitating surrounding gastric glands to take malignant change, 3 .GGC co-operating with int estinalization in resulting in gastric cancer. It is worth recording the GGC，even in the abscenceof malignancy, so as to remind doctors of possibility heralded or harbored gastric cancinoma.