| Theme | Pepsinogen -- Basic, Clinical Implications, and Epidemiology | |
|---|---|---|
| Title | Corroborative Evidence on Mass Screening Method Using Serum Pepsinogen Test for Long Term Follow Up of Gastric Cancer Patients | |
| Publish Date | 2002/10 | |
| Author | Naohisa Yahagi | Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo |
| Author | Yasuhito Shimizu | Second Department of Internal Medicine, Wakayama Medical College |
| Author | Masao Ichinose | Second Department of Internal Medicine, Wakayama Medical College |
| Author | Kazumasa Miki | First Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Toho University |
| Author | Masao Omata | Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo |
| [ Summary ] | The mass screening method to detect gastric cancer, using a serum pepsinogen test, seems very useful for its high sensitivity and specificity. The relative risk for gastric cancer is calculated to be 6.9 in those having a positive serum pepsinogen test. Serum pepsinogen levels must be measured every few years, since the progression of atrophic gastritis is accompanied by a reduction in serum pepsinogen values. The method is especially useful in detecting early stage asymptomatic cancers with differentiated histology types. Some advanced cancers of an undiffer entiated histology type are often judged negative with this method. Conventional screening methods using barium X-rays, are good for detecting such advanced cancers. Accordingly, the combination of the two methods is reasonable and will improve the efficacy and reliability of the screening method. |
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