A Swedish study last year found a progression rate of 3% over 10 years for patients with extensive intestinal metaplasia. (BMJ. 2015. doi: 10.1136/bmj.h3867).
“And this year, from Los Angeles, we saw a study of 4,300 patients with extensive intestinal metaplasia and a very similar progression rate of close to 5% in 10 years (Am J Gastro. 2016. doi: 10.1038/ajg.2016.188). It’s the same findings, everywhere,” he said, adding that a team from Iran presented almost identical numbers for gastric cancer incidence at this year’s Digestive Disease Week.
Again, follow-up improves outcomes. A gastric cancer endoscopy screening program for high-risk people improved survival of gastric cancer significantly over community-identified patients (80% vs. 60% at 60 months after diagnosis) (J Gastro Hepatol. 2014. doi: 10.1111/jgh.12387).
These data contribute strongly to recent guidelines for managing patients with premalignant stomach conditions. The European Society for Gastroenterological Endoscopy recommends that those with extensive intestinal metaplasia undergo endoscopy every 3 years (Endoscopy. 2012. doi: 10.1055/s-0031-1291491). Last year, the Kyoto global consensus report on Helicobacter pylori gastritis (Gut. 2015. doi: 10.1136/gutjnl-2015-309252) recommended that patients with extensive gastric atrophy be offered endoscopic surveillance.
There is no place for general population screening, Dr. Kuipers said in an interview. “I would not advocate actual population screening – i.e., offer the general population or risk groups a first screening endoscopy. There is at present no indication [for] this. This is different, however, from surveillance of patients who happen to be diagnosed with advanced intestinal metaplasia of the stomach, or long-segment Barrett’s esophagus, because this allows us to early detect development of neoplasia (high-grade dysplasia and cancer), which then allows for less invasive treatment, and better outcomes.”
He had no financial disclosures.