Gastric epithelial dysplasia in the natural history of gastric cancer: a multicenter prospective follow-up study. Interdisciplinary Group on Gastric Epithelial Dysplasia

Gastroenterology. 1994 Nov;107(5):1288-96. doi: 10.1016/0016-5085(94)90529-0.

Abstract

Background/aims: Because the precancerous significance of gastric epithelial dysplasia (GED) is still under debate, this study attempts to ascertain whether a prospective follow-up of GED can contribute to clarifying its clinical and pathological relationships with gastric cancer (GC).

Methods: One hundred twelve patients with mild (G1), moderate (G2), and severe (G3) GED or diagnosed as indefinite for dysplasia were prospectively followed up with a standardized endoscopic and bioptic protocol.

Results: Evaluation of GED outcome refers only to 93 patients with a follow-up period longer than 12 months. Regression of dysplasia was documented in 36%, 27%, and 0% of G1, G2, and G3 GED cases, respectively. Progression to more severe dysplasia or evolution into GC was detected in 21%, 33%, and 57% of G1, G2, and G3 GED cases, respectively. Evolution into GC was documented for all grades of dysplasia and correlated significantly with high-grade atrophic gastritis. A high prevalence of early GC (86.9%) was also observed.

Conclusions: GED is a pre-invasive lesion, and carcinomatous evolution increases proportionally with its histological grade. Bioptical follow-up is mandatory for all histological grades of GED and significantly increases the likelihood of GC being detected in its early stages.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biopsy
  • Chi-Square Distribution
  • Epithelium / pathology
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Gastric Mucosa / pathology*
  • Gastritis, Atrophic / pathology
  • Humans
  • Italy
  • Linear Models
  • Precancerous Conditions / pathology*
  • Prospective Studies
  • Stomach Neoplasms / pathology*