An experimental study of gastric stump carcinoma in Wistar rats

The risk of gastric stump carcinoma is increased 15-20 years after gastric resection for benign disease. Reflux of duodenal juice, bacterial overgrowth and formation of N-nitroso compounds are possible etiological factors. There is a geographical variation in the incidence of gastric cancer, possibly explained by differences in food intake. Experimentally it is possible to induce gastric stump carcinoma in rats without the addition of exogenous carcinogens. The aim of this study was: 1) to find the incidence of gastric carcinoma in rats subjected to BII resection and followed for 10 months, and 2) to examine if acetic acid, a common dietary factor, could influence the development of gastric carcinoma. Amongst BII-operated male Wistar rats, infiltrating carcinoma was found in 5/20 on a normal diet and in 5/24 exposed to acetic acid (NS). Benign mucosal changes were seen in 12/20 and 16/24 respectively (NS). With the exception of a profound inflammation in one sham-operated animal, no mucosal pathological changes were found in 24 sham-operated and 24 control animals where no operation was performed.