ABSTRACT
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), is linked to gastric cancer. The progression from atrophy to metaplasia, dysplasia, and carcinoma constitutes the pathway for intestinal-type gastric carcinoma development. H. pylori infection significantly increases gastric cancer risk, particularly in individuals with atrophic gastritis. Virulence factors like CagA and VacA disrupt host signaling pathways, contributing to chronic inflammation and carcinogenesis. Pro-inflammatory cytokines and dysregulated tumor suppressor genes further fuel this process. Eradicating H. pylori reduces gastric cancer incidence, especially in patients with atrophic gastritis and/or intestinal metaplasia. However, it may not prevent cancer in those with advanced pre-neoplastic lesions. Early detection and management of H. pylori infection are crucial in mitigating gastric cancer risk, offering significant benefits.
Subject(s)
Antigens, Bacterial , Bacterial Proteins , Helicobacter Infections , Helicobacter pylori , Stomach Neoplasms , Humans , Stomach Neoplasms/microbiology , Stomach Neoplasms/etiology , Helicobacter Infections/complications , Risk Factors , Incidence , Gastritis, Atrophic/microbiology , Treatment Outcome , Virulence FactorsABSTRACT
Background: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is one of the major current public health problems, its incidence being high worldwide. This condition is associated with other pathologies such as peptic ulcer or gastric cancer, causing a real challenge for specialists in the medical field. Methods:We conducted a retrospective study that includes a cohort of 275 patients who performed EGD and were tested for the presence of H. pylori by the stool antigen test, between July 2022 and December 2023. Results:The cohort had an average age of 62.79 ± 13.8 years old, with a male predominance 156 patients (56.7%) and the most frequent lesion is antral gastritis (149 cases, 54.2%). Gastric ulcer in those with positive tests in H. pylori had a double incidence compared to those in which the infection is not present (19.7% vs. 9.2%, p=0.012). Conclusions:: H. pylori infection still remains a condition that can be complicated by various pathological conditions that can evolve from a slight erosion of the gastric mucosa to digestive neoplasia that require complex multidisciplinary treatments, which is why understanding the mechanisms and applying therapeutic resources as soon as possible is essential.
