Histology of gastric antrum in intestinal-type gastric adenocarcinoma from Asir Central Hospital, Saudi Arabia.

The objective of this study was to look at non-neoplastic, precancerous histologic changes in the antrum of 49 resected stomachs with intestinal-type adenocarcinoma. Chronic superficial gastritis was seen in all 49 cases. Focal atrophic gastritis was seen in 32/49 cases (65.3%). Helicobacter pylori bacilli were seen in 41/49 cases (84%) and intestinal metaplasia in 39/49 cases (79.6%). 42/49 cases (85.7%) with chronic superficial gastritis showed non-active quiescent chronic inflammation. None of the 49 cases showed early gastric cancer, i.e. adenocarcinoma restricted to the gastric mucosa. The progressive changes of longstanding chronic superficial gastritis, focal atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia were seen in all cases studied (individually or in combination). Knowledge of these precancerous lesions and their prevalence is fundamental to controlling gastric cancer (early detection) and eventual prevention.