title: Development of gastric cancer and its prevention.
abstract: Gastric cancer is a heterogeneous disorder; genetic factors, H. pylori infection and various environmental factors contribute to its development. Advanced atrophic corpus-predominant gastritis provides the histological base for its genesis. Low socio-economic status and poor hygienic conditions, smoking habits, heavy alcohol consumption, high salt and low intake of vegetables and fruits are important external factors for the occurrence of gastric cancer. For its prevention, the eradication of H. pylori infection at an early age is mandatory for subjects at high risk or those living in areas with high prevalence of gastric cancer. Given that an increased serum level of Pepsinogen II is a good biomarker for the presence of gastritis, it seems reasonable to screen all infected subjects at risk of gastric cancer with increased serum pepsinogen II at an early age (at around 30 years) to eradicate H. pylori. An endoscopy should be performed for subjects at an older age (40 years and older), when increased serum pepsinogen II level is associated with decreased serum pepsinogen I and pepsinogen I to II ratio.
authors: Digestive Disease Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Shariati Hospital, Tehran, Iran. Massarrat@ams.ac.ir.
authors: Sadegh
authors: S
authors: Massarrat
authors: Department of Pathology, Klinikum Kulmbach, Germany.
authors: Manfred
authors: M
authors: Stolte
mesh_terms: D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D004032:Diet / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018450:Disease Progression; D005756:Gastritis / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori; D006801:Humans; D008679:Metaplasia; D020115:Pepsinogen C / Q000097:blood; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013270:Stomach / Q000473:pathology*; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D020115:Pepsinogen C