Can duodenal ulcers lead to stomach cancer?

Jun 25, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health
Disease description:

I experienced severe abdominal pain last night and went to the hospital, where I was diagnosed with a duodenal ulcer. Can a duodenal ulcer lead to stomach cancer?

Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Shen Yonghua
Duodenal ulcers generally do not lead to gastric cancer, and the two conditions differ significantly in terms of pathology, common locations, and treatment approaches. Clinically, while a small number of gastric ulcers may progress to gastric cancer, duodenal ulcers rarely undergo malignant transformation. This is because the intestinal wall in the duodenal bulb is relatively thin, and complications such as ulcer bleeding or perforation are more likely to occur before the ulcer progresses to cancer. In most cases, surgical removal of the lesion is chosen, thereby reducing the possibility of malignancy. However, patients with duodenal ulcers still require significant attention and active treatment and follow-up to ensure effective disease management.