Characteristics of early gastric cancer in a previous Helicobacter pylori infection with no history of eradication therapy

Abstract

Abstract Background The characteristics of gastric cancer in patients with atrophic mucosa without apparent history of Helicobacter pylori eradication have not been thoroughly investigated. Thus, this study aims to examine the clinicopathological characteristics of gastric cancer in these patients. Methods We examined endoscopic and pathological characteristics of gastric cancer in two groups of patients: those with gastric atrophy and no history of eradication (group A; n = 102) and those with a history of eradication (group B; n = 161). In group A, patients were further divided in terms of mild atrophy (group C) and severe atrophy (group D), while group B was further divided into those who underwent eradication treatment > 5 years ago (group E) and those who underwent eradication 1–5 years ago (group F). Results Group A comprised significantly older individuals (76 ± 8.2 vs. 71 ± 7.4 years, p < 0.001) with a higher frequency of elevated-type gastric cancer than that of patients in group B (32.4% vs. 17.4%, p = 0.006). Compared with group E, group A showed an older age and a greater incidence of elevated-type gastric cancer. The incidence of gastric cancer in U or M region was lower in group C than in group D. Conclusions Gastric cancer in patients with gastric atrophy and no history of eradication was associated with older age and a higher frequency of the elevated-type morphology than in those with a history of eradication. Endoscopists should be vigilant in detecting elevated-type gastric cancer in this particular population.