HELICOBACTER-PYLORI AND EPSTEIN-BARR-VIRUS INFECTION AND THE P53 TUMOR-SUPPRESSOR PATHWAY IN GASTRIC STUMP CANCER COMPARED WITH CARCINOMA IN THE NONOPERATED STOMACH

Aim-To evaluate similarities and differences between gastric stump can cer and conventional carcinoma in the nonoperated stomach. Methods-26 stump carcinomas were compared with 24 conventional stomach cancers. S tage, histological type, and demographics were comparable in the two g roups. Expression of p53 and p21-Waf1/Cip1 was evaluated by immunohist ochemical staining. Helicobacter pylori infection was evaluated by exa mining haematoxylin-eosin stained slides and immunohistochemistry. Eps tein-Barr virus infection was evaluated by RNA in situ hybridisation. Results-Expression of p53 and p21-Waf1/Cip1 was similar in both groups and positive in more than half of the patients. Helicobacter pylori i nfection was observed in six stump carcinomas and 17 conventional carc inomas in the intact stomach (p < 0.01). RNA in situ hybridisation (EB ER1-ISH) for Epstein-Barr virus was positive in nine stump carcinomas and two carcinomas in the non-operated stomach (p < 0.05). Conclusions -There appear to be aetiological differences between stump carcinoma a nd cancer in the intact stomach. Further study of these differences ma y improve our understanding of gastric carcinogenesis in general.