HELICOBACTER-PYLORI INFECTION IN YOUNG-PATIENTS WITH GASTRIC-CARCINOMA

Background: Helicobacter pylori infection has been linked with chronic atrophic gastritis and gastric cancer. This case-control study was pe rformed to investigate a possible relationship between H. pylori infec tion and gastric cancer in young age groups. Methods: Gastrectomy and/ or biopsy samples were collected from 50 consecutive patients 45 years old or younger treated between 1980 and 1994 for noncardiac gastric c ancer. The control group consisted of age- and sex-marched dyspeptic p atients. The presence of H. pylori infection was assessed by modified Giemsa staining and immunostaining, using antibody against H. pylori. Results: H. pylori was found in 36 (72%; 95% confidence interval 60-84 %) cancer patients and in 22 (43%; 30-58%) control patients (p = 0.002 3, chi-square test). The odds ratio was 3.27 (1.42-7.52). Nonatrophic (superficial) gastritis was present in 30 (60%) cancer patients and in 19 (38%) (p = 0.028, chi-square test) control cases. Conclusions: The results of the present study support the hypothesis that H. pylori is a risk factor for gastric cancer also in young age groups and in pati ents with a diffuse type of gastric cancer.