Gastric foveolar immature cells (mucopeptic cells) expansion in body-fundic advanced intestinal type gastric cancer in patients with chronic non-atrophic ("superficial") gastritis: Helicobacter pylori role.
BACKGROUND
Some authors reported the relationship between Helicobacter pylori (HP) prevalence and gastric cancer incidence. It is generally agreed that HP plays a key role in altering regulatory factors affecting cellular proliferation during the disease process. This hyperproliferation is due, mainly, to active inflammation action on glandular neck cells. Neoplastic changes may arise owing to a loss of control of cell proliferation.


METHODS
In the present study it has been evaluated the mucopeptic cells (immature cells) expansion in surrounding areas of body-fundic intestinal type advanced gastric cancer (GC) in patients with non atrophic gastritis: the cases have been subdivided in relation with HP infection.


RESULTS
Muco-peptic expansion was present in 73.9% of HP positive GC patients. The cell expansion has not been observed either in HP negative GC or in control subjects.


CONCLUSIONS
The phenomenon, a morphological manifestation of hyperproliferation, might overexpose the mucosa to environmental factors. Therefore, in subjects with genetic predisposition, HP could act as a promoter in the progression towards neoplasia independently of chronic atrophic gastritis.
Testino
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Department of Gastroenterology and Digestive Endoscopy, San Martino Hospital, Genova, Italy.
D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000473:pathology; D005756:Gastritis / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000473:pathology*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori; D006801:Humans; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology*