Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 3, 2026

Elastic Staining on Paraffin-embedded Slides of pT3N0M0 Gastric Cancer Tissue
06:36

Elastic Staining on Paraffin-embedded Slides of pT3N0M0 Gastric Cancer Tissue

Published on: May 1, 2019

7.4K

Gastric cancer in children and adolescents in Japan

Masumi Okuda1,2, Keiko Nomura3, Mototsugu Kato4

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Aichi Medical University School of Medicine, Nagakute, Aichi, Japan.

Pediatrics International : Official Journal of the Japan Pediatric Society
|November 2, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Childhood gastric cancer is rare, with most cases occurring in older children. While prognosis is poor, declining rates may link to reduced Helicobacter pylori infection, though more research is needed.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Oncology
  • Gastroenterology
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Childhood gastric cancer is exceedingly rare, with limited available data on its clinical presentation and characteristics.
  • Understanding the epidemiology and clinical features of gastric cancer in pediatric and adolescent populations is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the clinical features, treatment, and prognosis of gastric cancer in children and adolescents.
  • To investigate the potential role of Helicobacter pylori infection in childhood gastric cancer.

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective survey of 518 hospitals in Japan was conducted to collect data on childhood gastric cancer cases.
  • Literature reviews of PubMed and the Japan Medical Abstracts Society database, along with Japanese Vital Statistics, were used to identify additional cases.
  • Data collected included patient demographics, onset symptoms, tumor location, histology, family history, H. pylori status, treatment, and outcomes.

Main Results:

  • The study identified 80 pediatric gastric cancer cases (<16 years old), predominantly in children over 10 years old, with no sex predilection.
  • Undifferentiated-type carcinoma was the predominant histology (approx. 80%), and a significant proportion of patients had a family history of cancer.
  • Prognosis was extremely poor, with a high rate of H. pylori positivity (2/3 tested), although overall childhood gastric cancer deaths are declining.

Conclusions:

  • Childhood gastric cancer is a rare entity in Japan, characterized by aggressive histology and poor outcomes.
  • Limited data exist on H. pylori infection in pediatric gastric cancer patients, but declining incidence may correlate with decreasing infection rates.
  • Further research is essential to elucidate the precise relationship between H. pylori and the development of gastric cancer in children.
Abstract

Keywords:
Helicobacter pylorichildhoodgastric cancerreviewsurvey

More Related Videos

Establishment of Gastric Cancer Patient-derived Xenograft Models and Primary Cell Lines08:42

Establishment of Gastric Cancer Patient-derived Xenograft Models and Primary Cell Lines

Published on: July 19, 2019

10.7K
Author Spotlight: Understanding Adolescent Social Adversity Effects on Neurodevelopment in Mice07:15

Author Spotlight: Understanding Adolescent Social Adversity Effects on Neurodevelopment in Mice

Published on: March 15, 2024

2.7K

Related Concept Videos

Cognitive Development During Adolescence01:18

Cognitive Development During Adolescence

During adolescence, individuals experience significant cognitive development that enhances their understanding of others' emotions and thoughts, known as cognitive empathy. This period is marked by an increased ability to adapt to others' perspectives and a more nuanced understanding of others' mental states, a skill that is foundational for social problem-solving and conflict avoidance. The development of cognitive empathy relies heavily on the theory of mind — the...
600
Gastric Motility01:16

Gastric Motility

Gastric motility is the coordinated contraction and relaxation of stomach muscles that convert ingested food into chyme, a semi-liquid substance ready for further digestion in the intestines. The process begins with the vagus nerve inducing the relaxation of the smooth muscles in the fundus and body of the stomach, allowing these regions to expand and accommodate up to approximately 1.5 liters of food and liquid.
Peristaltic Waves and Chyme Formation
Upon food entry, the stomach initiates...
3.2K
Gastric Emptying01:16

Gastric Emptying

Gastric emptying occurs when the stomach gradually releases chyme into the duodenum. When the stomach is distended, it triggers the release of gastrin, a hormone that promotes gastric acid secretion to aid in digestion. Additionally, stomach distension contributes to peristaltic waves that propel gastric contents toward the pyloric region. The gastroenteric reflex, on the other hand, primarily stimulates peristalsis in the intestines, facilitating the movement of contents further along the...
3.7K
Gastric Phase of Digestion01:26

Gastric Phase of Digestion

The gastric phase of digestion begins as soon as food enters the stomach. The incoming food bolus triggers neural and hormonal mechanisms, which last approximately 3 to 4 hours. During this phase, the stomach undergoes significant changes to prepare the food for further digestion and absorption.
When food enters the stomach, it stretches the stomach walls and activates stretch receptors. This triggers local reflexes of the enteric nervous system, mediated through the myenteric plexus. These...
3.4K
Revisionist Views of Adolescent and Adult Cognition01:24

Revisionist Views of Adolescent and Adult Cognition

A revisionist approach to Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development has brought new insights that challenge and reinterpret his established ideas. Piaget proposed that the formal operational stage, emerging in adolescence, represents the culmination of cognitive maturity. During this stage, individuals are said to develop abstract thinking, engage in systematic problem-solving, and show a form of egocentrism, believing others are as preoccupied with their behavior as they are...
308
Erikson's Theory on Socioemotional Development during Adolescence01:17

Erikson's Theory on Socioemotional Development during Adolescence

Erik Erikson's fifth stage of psychosocial development, "identity versus role confusion," is crucial during adolescence (ages 12 to 18). In this stage, adolescents face the developmental task of forging a distinct personal identity, a process influenced by social, psychological, and biological changes typical of this period. Adolescents naturally explore different roles, behaviors, and ideologies as they navigate complex questions of self-concept, asking, "Who am I?" and "What is my place in...
1.2K