INTRODUCTION: Etiology of gastric cancer (GC) remains controversial and several factors have implicated in its carcinogenesis process, including Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection. Hp infection's role on GC remains uncertain, with several conflicting studies. METHOD: Ninety-one patients with diagnosis of adenocarcinoma of the stomach treated by surgical resection were reviewed. Pathological examination was repeated in all patients to determine the presence of Hp infection, intestinal metaplasia (IM) and confirmation of the hystologic type by conventional haematoxylin-eosin staining. Statistical analysis was performed using Chi-quadrate and log-rank tests. RESULTS: IM was observed in 81 tumours (89%). Overall, the presence of Hp infection was observed in 46 tumours (50.5%). There was no association between age and Hp status. In the group of patients with early and advanced GC, Hp infection was present in 47.7% and 54% of tumours. Hp infection was present in 40 tumours (49%) in the group of patients with IM. In patients with tumours without IM Hp was present in five (50%) tumours. Proximal tumours had more Hp infection when compared to distal tumours. CONCLUSIONS: The infection rate had no significant association with histologic type, IM, gender or stage. These results may indicate that participation of Hp infection during GC development cannot be ruled out; however, it is probably not essential during all stages of GC development and the mechanism may be distinct of the chronic gastritis and IM progression. Finally, it is possible that the proposed association is merely coincidental and that there is no actual influence of the bacteria in the carcinogenesis process.
Stomach Neoplasms; Helicobacter pylori
