Published: 17-01-2019 10:30 | Updated: 03-06-2019 15:21

New thesis on Eradication Treatment of Helicobacter Pylori and the Risk of Gastric Cancer

Eva Doorakkers from the group Upper GI Surgery will defend her thesis "Helicobacter pylori eradication treatment and the risk of gastric and oesophageal cancer" on January 25th, 2019. Main Supervisor is Nele Brusselaers.

Image:

Caption:

What's the main focus of your thesis?

To assess how antibiotic eradication treatment for Helicobacter pylori, a common stomach bacterium, influences the risk of gastric cancer and oesophageal adenocarcinoma.

Which are the most important results?

Previous studies have indicated that infection with Helicobacter pylori increases the risk of gastric cancer, but decreases the risk of oesophageal adenocarcinoma, a subtype of oesophageal cancer. Therefore, it was hypothesized that eradication treatment for Helicobacter pylori would prevent gastric cancer development. This risk decrease is shown in this thesis, both in Sweden and in Asia. On the other hand, the risk of oesophageal adenocarcinoma was expected to increase after treatment. However, no evidence for an increased risk of oesophageal adenocarcinoma after eradication treatment was found

How can this new knowledge contribute to the improvement of people's health?

This information can guide clinical decision-making as to whether or not to treat an individual with Helicobacter pylori who has a valid treatment indication.

What are your future ambitions?

I have recently started my specialist training in geriatrics and internal medicine, and will continue my clinical work after my dissertation. In the future, I would like to combine clinical work and research to contribute to improvements in patient care.