Clinical guidelines: Secondary prevention of gastric cancer

摘要

The second half of the 20th century saw the elucidation of the gastric oncogenic cascade, which culminates in gastric cancer. Culture of Helicobacter pylori established that this bacterium was the most common cause of active chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer and gastric cancer. Although environmental factors seem to be the main causes of these diseases, host-related immunological mechanisms could have a role in modulating the severity of the gastric disease. This clinicobiological information has been slow to diffuse into the medical community, and it has only just begun to have a major effect on the daily practice of clinicians and patholo-gists. However, a number of conclusions have been reached that can, and should, directly affect clinical practice.