Adenocarcinoma of the Lesser Curvature (3 of 3)

Gastric Adenocarcinoma. Pathophysiology: The accepted pathway involves transitions from gastritis to gastric atrophy to metaplasia to dysplasia and, finally, to cancer. Several dietary and environmental factors may influence this pathway. Hypochlorhydria: This condition occurs in gastric atrophy and promotes bacterial colonization of the stomach. It leads to increased nitrite formation, which may have a mutagenic effect on the atrophic gastric mucosa. Helicobacter pylori: Antral gastritis caused by H pylori has been linked to the development of gastric cancer. Patients with H pylori gastritis are 3-6 times more likely to develop gastric cancer than individuals without the infection. Certain foods: Starch, pickled vegetables, salted fish and meat, smoked foods, and salt have all been implicated. Cigarette smoking: Those who smoke more than 30 cigarettes per day have a 5-fold increased risk of gastric carcinoma.