The Association between Helicobacter pylori Infection and Gastric Adenocarcinoma: a Review of the Literature / 한국역학회지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Stomach cancer is a major cancer in the world as well as in Korea. Helicobacter pylori infection was suggested causing atropic gastritis, but there has been a debate on the association with the gastric adenocarcinoma. We reviewed recent literatures and meta-analyses on the association between Helicobacter pylori infection and the development of gastric adenocarcinoma. PESULTS The animal experiments suggested that Helicobacter pylori is a causative agent of gastric adenocarcinoma. Meta-analyses on the relationship between Helicobacter pylori infection and gastric adenocarcinoma showed increased risk in infected person, but the strength of association was varied with study design, characteristics of study participants and the nature of tumors. CONCLUSIONS: Recent study results suggested that Helicobacter pylori is a necessary causative agent for development of gastric adenocarcinoma. Assessment of the association between Helicobacter pylori infection and other factors related with gastric cancer risks and the effects of the eradication therapy of Helicobacter pylori infection on the prevention of gastvic cancer need further evaluation.