H. pylori infection is associated with an increased risk of which outcome?

H. pylori infection is associated with an increased risk of which outcome?

• A. pylori infections have no impact on cancer risk
• B. pylori infections reduce cancer risk
• C. pylori infection increases risk of pancreatic cancer
• D. pylori infection increases gastric cancer risk

Answer: (D)

Chronic Helicobacter pylori infection damages the stomach lining and triggers a long-term inflammatory process that can progress from gastritis to atrophy, intestinal metaplasia, dysplasia, and eventually gastric cancer. This well-established sequence is why H. pylori is considered a significant risk factor for gastric cancer. The infection does not have a neutral or protective effect on cancer risk, and while researchers have explored links to pancreatic cancer, the strongest and most consistent clinical association is with increased gastric cancer risk. Eradicating the infection reduces long-term gastric cancer risk, underscoring the causal connection.

Chronic Helicobacter pylori infection damages the stomach lining and triggers a long-term inflammatory process that can progress from gastritis to atrophy, intestinal metaplasia, dysplasia, and eventually gastric cancer. This well-established sequence is why H. pylori is considered a significant risk factor for gastric cancer. The infection does not have a neutral or protective effect on cancer risk, and while researchers have explored links to pancreatic cancer, the strongest and most consistent clinical association is with increased gastric cancer risk. Eradicating the infection reduces long-term gastric cancer risk, underscoring the causal connection.