| Theme |
Determination of Gastric Cancer Risk -- Current Conditions and Issues |
| Title |
Evaluation of the Risk for Gastric Cancer Development -- Past and Present |
| Author |
Masao Ichinose |
Department of Gastroenterology, Wakayama Medical University |
| Author |
Takeichi Yoshida |
Department of Gastroenterology, Wakayama Medical University / Wakayama Wellness Center |
| Author |
Hisanobu Deguchi |
Department of Gastroenterology, Wakayama Medical University |
| Author |
Mika Watanabe |
Department of Gastroenterology, Wakayama Medical University / Wakayama Wellness Center |
| Author |
Shotaro Enomoto |
Department of Gastroenterology, Wakayama Medical University / Wakayama Wellness Center |
| Author |
Jun Kato |
Department of Gastroenterology, Wakayama Medical University |
| [ Summary ] |
The results of long-term observational studies have demonstrated that gastric cancer risk can be assessed noninvasively based on blood tests. With this method, the stage of the atrophy-metaplasia-cancer sequence induced by H. pylori, which is the main route of stomach carcinogenesis in cancer high-risk areas, is determined in areas at high risk for gastric cancer by serum pepsinogen and / or specific antibodies to evaluate the risk of gastric cancer. Theoretically, this is an innovative method not only for identifying groups that would benefit from gastric cancer prevention measures such as screening, but also for improving the efficiency of such measures by excluding low-risk groups. Nevertheless, major issues remain, such as difficulty in the diagnosis of H. pylori infection and the assessment of risk for undifferentiated cancer. Careful consideration is needed before introducing this method in actual cancer screening. |