[Approach to Patients after Successful Eradication of Helicobacter pylori]

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a well-known gastrointestinal microorganism that causes chronic gastritis and peptic ulcers, which may evolve into gastric cancer. Previous studies have shown that H. pylori eradication inhibits the development of primary and metachronous gastric cancer. Therefore, the Kyoto global consensus recommends eradication therapy for both symptomatic and asymptomatic H. pylori-infected patients. Gastric cancer is detected even in patients after successful H. pylori eradication. Recent studies have reported the role of endoscopy in detection of primary gastric cancers after H. pylori eradication. Development of gastric cancer may be observed several months or even >10 years after successful H. pylori eradication. Therefore, identification of high-risk patients in whom extensive surveillance may prove beneficial represents a clinical dilemma. In this review, the characteristics of gastric cancer patients who have undergone successful H. pylori-eradication therapy are summarized.