| Theme |
How to Diagnose Gastric Diseases in Patients without Helicobacter pylori Infection |
| Title |
Epstein—Barr Virus—associated Gastric Carcinoma and H. pylori Infection |
| Author |
Aya Shinozaki‒Ushiku |
Department of Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo |
| Author |
Tetsuo Ushiku |
Department of Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo |
| [ Summary ] |
Epstein‒Barr virus‒associated gastric carcinoma (EBVaGC) is a clinicopathologically and biologically distinct subtype of gastric carcinoma that accounts for nearly 10 % of gastric carcinoma. Epigenetic abnormalities such as DNA hypermethylation play an important role in the carcinogenesis of EBVaGC. Most EBVaGC arises in the background of chronic atrophic gastritis. Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is the main cause of chronic atrophic gastritis in Japan, and is present in most of the patients with EBVaGC. These two different pathogens are thought to act cooperatively in gastric carcinogenesis. It is expected that early eradication of H. pylori, or a decline in the infection rate will decrease the incidence of EBVaGC. |