Gastric Precancerous Lesions in First Degree Relatives of Patients with Known Gastric Cancer: a Cross-Sectional Prospective Study in Guilan Province, North of Iran

Background &
Objectives: In patients with gastric cancer, the most frequently reported family historyof cancer also involves the stomach. The aim of this study was to assess the presence of gastric precancerouslesions in first-degree relatives of patients with gastric cancer and to compare the obtained results with thoseof individuals with no such family history.
Methods: Between 2007 and 2009, 503 consecutive persons morethan 30 years old were enrolled in the study covering siblings, parents or children of patients with confirmedadenocarcinoma of stomach. The control group was made up of 592 patients who were synchronously undergoingupper gastrointestinal endoscopy for evaluation of dyspepsia without gastric cancer or any family history. Allsubjects were endoscopically examined.
Results: The overall prevalence of Helicobacter pylori was 77.7% in thecancer relatives and in 75.7% in the control group. Chronic gastritis was found in 90.4% vs. 81.1% (P<0.001).Regarding histological findings, 37(7.4%) of the study group had atrophy vs. 12(1.7%) in the control group(P<0.001), while no difference was observed for intestinal metaplasia (20.3%vs. 21.6%, P=0.58). Dysplasia wereshown in 4% of cancer relatives but only 0.4% of the control group (P<0.001). There was no gender specificity.
Conclusions: Findings of our study point to great importance of screening in relatives of gastric cancer patientsin Iran.