Prevalence of H. pylori in patients with gastric cancer

The present study was taken with an aim to assess the prevalence of H. pylori in patients with gastric carcinoma and correlate it with gross appearance and histological type. Endoscopic biopsies from 54 patients with gastric carcinoma and 50 age and sex matched controls were taken after thorough upper gastrointestinal examination. Gross appearance of the tumour was noted and two biopsies each from the site of malignancy and from normal appearing areas were taken. Sections were stained with Haematoxylin & Eosin and Loeffler's methylene blue for histopathological details and presence of H. pylori. Prevalence of H. pylori in controls was slightly higher than the patients group (80% Vs 78%). Ulcerated type of gross appearance had maximum prevalence of H. pylori (88%). Prevalence of H. pylori was more in diffuse type of gastric cancer than intestinal type (86% Vs 68%). A significant association between H. pylori and grades of gastritis was noted (P < 0.01) in controls as well as in patient group but it failed to show a significant association with tumour grades, intestinal metaplasia, site of the tumour and age of the patients. So, it can be inferred that prevalence of H. pylori infection is not directly associated with pathogenesis of gastric cancer but it may act as a co-carcinogen by damaging the mucosa and thereby making it more susceptible to effects of carcinogen.