Most authors advocate surgery for peptic ulcer because of the high frequency of malignancy of the ulcers. The literature data and personal observations provide evidence, however, that true malignant degeneration of the ulcer is a quite rare complication of the disease. Of greater importance in examination of the patients is differential diagnosis between benign ulcers and the infiltrative-ulcerous form of gastric ulcer which may take the "mask" of a benign ulcer in the early stages. Patients with an uncomplicated form of peptic gastric ulcer must be given nonoperative treatment. An operation should be considered only in formation of poorly cicatrizing ulcers with due regard for the poor efficacy of their nonoperative management.