Effect of Helicobacter pylori eradication on malignant transformation of gastric adenoma

Background: A nonrandomized trial of Helicobacter pylori eradication was co nducted in patients with endoscopically diagnosed gastric adenoma to determ ine the long-term effect of antimicrobial treatment on progression of the a denoma. Methods: Of 64 patients with an endoscopically diagnosed gastric adenoma an d H pylori infection, 32 were treated with omeprazole and antibiotics to er adicate the infection, and 32 were not. Results: During 2 years of follow-up, 4 (12.5%) of the 32 patients in the u ntreated group developed an early stage, intestinal-type gastric cancer, wh ereas no gastric cancer was found in the 32 patients in the treated group. Conclusion: H pylori eradication may inhibit progression of gastric adenoma to carcinoma.