Relationship between helicobacter pylori infection and esophageal cancer

Objective To explore the relationship between helicobacter pylori( HP) infection and esophageal cancer. Methods Patients admitted to our hospital from 2008 through 2010 were divided into esophageal squamous cell carcinoma group( n = 48),severe esophageal dysplasia group( n = 40),mild-moderate esophageal dysplasia group( n = 52) and chronic esophagitis group( n =50),and subjects with normal esophageal mucosa were enrolled in normal subject group( n = 50). The positive rates of HP were compared among the groups. HP infection was detected by rapid urease test with Warthin-Starry staining. Results The positive rates of HP decreased in sequence in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma group,severe esophageal dysplasia group,mild-moderate esophageal dysplasia group,chronic esophagitis group and normal subject group. The detection rate of HP was higher in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma group than in any of other groups( P 0. 05). The detection rate of HP in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma was not associated with age,gender,location,tumor size,lymph node metastasis( P 0. 05),but associated with differentiation of esophageal carcinoma( P 0. 05). Conclusion It is suggested that HP infection in esophagus is associated with the development of esophageal cancer.