Is intestinal metaplasia of the stomach reversible?
Intestinal metaplasia (IM) of the stomach is a risk factor in developing intestinal-type gastric cancer and hence the question of reversibility is vital. There is emerging epidemiological evidence that with long term follow up, IM may be reversible although a combination of antioxidant agents and eradication of H pylori may be necessary to achieve this. The pathogenesis of IM is currently being elucidated and it is likely that a combination of bacterial, host, and environmental factors will be shown to lead to IM. In assessing gastric cancer risk, histochemical typing of IM will most probably be replaced by molecular markers.
Walker
M M
MM
Department of Histopathology, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, London, UK. mm.walker@ic.ac.uk
D000483:Alleles; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000071616:CDX2 Transcription Factor; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D016480:Helicobacter pylori; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007422:Intestines / Q000473:pathology*; D008679:Metaplasia; D018895:Microsatellite Repeats; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*; D012306:Risk; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D013270:Stomach / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology*; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*; D015534:Trans-Activators
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; C491273:CDX1 protein, human; D000071616:CDX2 Transcription Factor; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D015534:Trans-Activators; D001205:Ascorbic Acid