Medical history and lifestyle factors contributing to Epstein-Barr virus-associated gastric carcinoma and conventional gastric carcinoma in Korea.
BACKGROUND
Epstein-Barr virus-associated gastric carcinoma (EBV-GC) has been characterized as a special gastric cancer subset. Lifestyle and other major factors that may contribute to EBV-GC and non-EBV-GC were investigated here.


METHODS
A total of 247 patients with gastric cancer were interviewed, clinicopathological information was retrieved, and in situ hybridization was performed for EBV-encoded small RNAs.


RESULTS
There were 18 EBV-GC (male:female=17:1) and 229 non-EBV-GC patients (male:female=161:68). A history of previous gastric ulcer was associated with EBV-GC, whereas frequent and heavy alcohol drinking was related to non-EBV-GC. Additionally, skipping breakfast was correlated with EBV-GC in male patients. Other factors, such as body mass index, history of gastritis, Helicobacter pylori infection, ABO blood type, family history of gastric cancer, education level, marital status, occupation, family status, and dietary factors, showed no significant differences between EBV-GC and non-EBV-GC.


CONCLUSIONS
A history of gastric ulcer, reflecting chemical injury to the stomach mucosa, appears to contribute to development of EBV-GC. Alcohol drinking was more related to non-EBV-GC than EBV-GC.
Kim
Ri Hyeon
RH
Department of Pathology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 28 Yongon-dong, Chongno-gu, Seoul 110-799, South Korea.
Chang
Mee Soo
MS
Kim
Hyun Ja
HJ
Song
Kyu Sang
KS
Kim
Yong Sung
YS
Choi
Bo Youl
BY
Kim
Woo Ho
WH
D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000150:complications; D016480:Helicobacter pylori; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology