Immature cells and Helicobacter pylori infection in early gastric cancer. An immunohistochemical study.
BACKGROUND
Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection has been frequently pointed out as one of factors involved in gastric carcinogenesis: in fact, the risk of developing gastric cancer is 4-6 times higher in infected than in non infected subjects.


METHODS
In the present study the mucopeptic cells (immature cells) expansion was evaluated in 15 patients with intestinal type early gastric cancer (EGC): the cases were subdivided in relation with HP infection in the surrounding areas.


RESULTS
Foveolar mucopeptic cells expansion was present in 63.6% of HP positive EGC patients. This phenomenon was not observed in HP negative EGC. In case of HP positive EGC there is foveolar expansion of the mucopeptic department with substitution of mature cells with immature ones.


CONCLUSIONS
Therefore, HP, by means of alteration of cellular turn-over, could act as a promoter in the progression towards neoplasia, modulating the risk acting over individual genetical susceptibility. That even independently from atrophic gastritis.
Testino
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Department of Gastroenterology and Digestive Endoscopy, S. Martino Hospital, Genova.
D005260:Female; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D016480:Helicobacter pylori; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013270:Stomach / Q000473:pathology*; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology