RESUMO
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate prospectively the presence and impact of the gastric carcinogen Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) in the upper aerodigestive tract. Previous studies suggested it could represent a risk factor for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). METHODS: Serology, rapid urease test, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) for H. pylori were performed in patients with head and neck cancer (N = 56) and cancer-free controls (N = 90). Comparison between groups was done using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Rates of positive serology and rapid urease test did not differ between the 2 groups in logistic regression analysis (p = .677 and p = .633, respectively). Birth in a developing country and age above 50 years old were predictors of positive serology (p < .001 and p = .040, respectively). Using qPCR, no biopsy showed the presence of H. pylori. CONCLUSION: This study challenges the concept that H. pylori may be a risk factor for HNSCC.
Assuntos
Carcinoma de Células Escamosas/microbiologia , Neoplasias de Cabeça e Pescoço/microbiologia , Infecções por Helicobacter/microbiologia , Helicobacter pylori , Adulto , Idoso , Feminino , Infecções por Helicobacter/diagnóstico , Helicobacter pylori/genética , Helicobacter pylori/isolamento & purificação , Humanos , Modelos Logísticos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Estudos Prospectivos , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase em Tempo Real/métodos , Fatores de Risco , Testes Sorológicos/métodos , Carcinoma de Células Escamosas de Cabeça e Pescoço , Urease/análiseRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori is known to cause gastric cancer. Presence and carcinogenicity in the upper aerodigestive system is doubtful. This study examined the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori and related factors in biopsies from the upper aerodigestive tract (UADT) in patients with gastric colonization by Helicobacter pylori. METHODS: In a case series study, 26 patients with histopathologically confirmed gastric colonization were identified. A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed on matched formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissues of the stomach and the oral cavity, pharynx, or larynx. RESULTS: Helicobacter pylori was found in 38% of the samples from the oral cavity, pharynx, and larynx. An association with malignancies in these regions or possible risk factors, such as age, smoking, or alcohol, was not found. CONCLUSION: The upper aerodigestive system seems to be an additional reservoir in a significant percentage of patients presenting with Helicobacter pylori gastritis.
