An efficient and cost-effective approach to identify patients most at risk of Gastric Carcinogenesis

An efficient and cost-effective approach to identify patients most at risk of Gastric Carcinogenesis

Gastric cancer is responsible for over 4,000 deaths in the UK every year, approximately 54% could have been preventable¹ with earlier detection and prompt intervention. Despite this, little progress has been made to improve the diagnosis of the disease, and patients are often investigated only at a later, less treatable stage.

This session discusses some clinical cases to showcase the efficiency of a non-invasive blood test that measures three stomach-specific biomarkers – pepsinogen I, pepsinogen II and gastrin-17, as well as anti-H. pylori IgG antibodies – to examine patients with functional dyspepsia and provide an overview of the structure and function of their gastric mucosa. This method can provide a cost-effective solution to investigate large numbers of patients presenting with symptoms of dyspepsia. A positive result can identify mucosal damage indicative of a condition on the pathway to gastric adenocarcinoma; at which point, high-risk patients can be sent to endoscopy and enrolled on surveillance programs based on BSG guidelines. Conversely, those with negative results can be ruled out unless symptoms are not resolved.

This session will highlight benefits including improved gastric cancer outcomes, earlier identification of gastric carcinogenesis, reduction of endoscopy waiting lists and high environmental and cost-saving impacts for the NHS.

1. Cancer Research UK. Stomach cancer statistics. Accessed 2nd May 2023. https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/health-professional/cancer-statistics/statistics-by-cancer-type/stomach-cancer.

Speaker:
Dr Cinzia Papadia MD FRCP
Consultant Gastroenterologist & Honorary Senior Lecturer QMUL Barts Health Trust, Whipps Cross University Hospital