Co‐Existing Gastric Cancer and Duodenal Ulcer Disease: Role ofHelicobactor pyloriInfection

Background. The association of gastric cancer and chronic duodenal ulcer disease is considered rare. In fact duodenal ulcer disease is believed to somehow “protect” against the development of gastric cancer. Helicobacter pylori infection is an important factor in the development of gastric cancer. No detailed investigation on the prevalence of H.pylori in coexistence of gastric cancer and duodenal ulcer disease has been performed. We evaluated the frequency of H. pylori infection in the patients with co-existence of gastric cancer and duodenal ulcer disease. Materials and Methods. During the period March 1994 to February 1995, we collected data from 3,652 patients in whom esophagogastroduodenoscopy was done. During this period, when the cancerous or ulcerative lesions in stomach or duodenum were found, rapid urease tests were performed. Results. Six patients had concurrent gastric carcinoma and duodenal ulcer disease. Three of the cases had early gastric carcinoma; 2 had active duodenal ulcers and one had a duodenal ulcer scar; all 3 had positive rapid urease tests. The patients with early gastric cancer were younger than the individuals with advanced gastric cancer. Conclusions. The co-existence of both diseases may be higher than reported from Western countries or from Peru which may either reflect the high prevalence of circulation of H.pylori ulcer and cancer strains in Korea and the co-infection with both types of organism in some individuals.