Can recurring gastric ulcers become cancerous?
Disease description:
I've been experiencing recurrent stomach ulcers for several years. I occasionally suffer from stomach pain and bloating, have a poor appetite, and frequently experience acid reflux. Could my recurring stomach ulcers potentially become cancerous?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Shen Yonghua
In general, recurrent gastric ulcers do not necessarily lead to cancerous changes, but there is a risk of malignancy.
Gastric ulcer is a common digestive system disease, primarily characterized by damage to the gastric mucosa, resulting in ulcer formation. The causes of gastric ulcers are complex and may be related to Helicobacter pylori infection, long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, genetic factors, etc. Patients often experience symptoms such as upper abdominal pain, indigestion, and nausea. Gastric ulcers themselves do not directly cause cancer, but if the ulcers recur frequently, prolonged inflammatory stimulation can lead to abnormal proliferation of gastric mucosal cells, which may progress to precancerous lesions and ultimately develop into gastric cancer.
Patients should actively undergo treatment measures, including eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection, adjustment of dietary habits, smoking cessation, and limiting alcohol consumption. Additionally, patients with a history of gastric ulcers, especially those with a family history of gastric cancer, should undergo regular gastroscopic examinations to promptly detect and manage any existing precancerous lesions, thereby reducing the risk of malignant transformation of gastric ulcers.
In daily life, it is recommended to maintain healthy lifestyle habits, such as regular作息 (作息 should be replaced with appropriate English term like "作息" could be "rest and activity patterns") and balanced diet, which help maintain overall health.
