Ulcer bacteria linked to risk of stomach cancer in certain groups

Electron microscopic view of H. pylori bacteria – Credit
Yutaka Tsutsumi, M.D.

CANCER DIGEST – Nov. 16, 2019 – Eliminating the bacteria that causes stomach ulcers from the gastrointestinal tract led to a 75 percent reduction in risk of stomach cancer, researchers have found.

After analyzing nearly 400,000 patient records, researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania found that rates of stomach cancer after detection of H. pylori, the ulcer-causing bacteria, are higher among specific populations, which they suggest would benefit from careful monitoring. The study appeared Nov. 14 online ahead of publication in the journal Gastroenterology.
"It's not feasible or necessary to screen everyone for H. pylori or gastric cancer," lead author Shria Kumar, MD said in a press release, "but our study suggests that certain people may have high enough compounding risk to warrant regular invasive screenings and anyone treated for an H. pylori infection should be assessed to ensure eradication of the bacteria."

H. pylori is estimated to infect half of the world’s population, mostly in eastern parts of the globe. While it can cause ulcers and other gastrointestinal illness in many people, it just as often causes no issues in others who are unaware they have been infected.

Earlier studies done in American populations have found a weak link between H. pylori and stomach cancer, while studies worldwide showed a much stronger link.

In the current study researchers looked at specific ethnic groups of populations and found that African American, Asian, Hispanic, American Indian and Inuit Americans have a significantly higher risk of H. Pylori infection and of developing stomach cancer. The risk was also higher among men, smokers and those who are older when H. pylori infection is detected.

They also saw that eradication of the infection cut the stomach cancer risk by 75 percent, but that simply prescribing the H. pylori regimen does not decrease the chances of stomach cancer. Instead the researchers suggest that physicians need to ensure the bacteria is actually eradicated after treatment.

While that follow-up step is part of the guidelines for treating H. pylori infection it is often not done due to the complicated tests needed for the bacteria. 

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Source: Penn Medicine News release