Gastric Xanthoma and Cancer Predictive Indicators
Summary
Gastric xanthomas are discrete, yellow‐white plaques in the stomach mucosa formed by clusters of lipid‐laden (foamy) macrophages within the lamina propria. Although benign and often asymptomatic, these lesions are increasingly recognised as endoscopic markers of underlying mucosal pathology. Their prevalence ranges from under 1 % to around 7 % in routine endoscopic series, with a predilection for the antral region. Accumulating evidence links gastric xanthoma to chronic gastritis—particularly that driven by Helicobacter pylori—in association with atrophic gastritis, intestinal metaplasia and epithelial dysplasia. These precancerous changes establish a milieu conducive to gastric carcinoma, and the presence, number and distribution of xanthomas have emerged as pragmatic risk indicators. Modern endoscopic techniques, including narrow‐band imaging, facilitate detailed assessment of mucosal relief and vascular patterns around xanthomas, refining risk stratification and guiding surveillance intervals. In clinical practice, the detection of one or more gastric xanthomas should prompt thorough evaluation for coexistent premalignant lesions and tailored follow-up to intercept progression towards gastric cancer.
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Gastric Xanthoma and Cancer Predictive Indicators publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in gastric xanthoma and cancer predictive indicators across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Gastric xanthoma: A benign mucosal lesion comprising aggregates of lipid‐filled (foamy) macrophages in the gastric lamina propria, appearing as yellow‐white plaques.
Atrophic gastritis: Chronic inflammation of the gastric mucosa leading to loss of glandular components and thinning of the mucosal layer.
Intestinal metaplasia: A precancerous change in which gastric epithelium is replaced by intestinal‐type mucosa featuring goblet cells.
Dysplasia: Disordered epithelial cell proliferation with cytological and architectural abnormalities, indicative of elevated carcinoma risk.
Narrow‐band imaging: An endoscopic technique that uses specific light wavelengths to enhance mucosal and vascular detail for improved lesion characterisation.
References
- Xanthomas and precancerous changes of the stomach: an accidental combination or an important prognostic endoscopic marker?. Gastroenterology (2023).
- Analysis of Risk Factors for Gastric Cancer and Precancerous Lesions: A Case–Control Study. Journal of Digestive Diseases (2024).
- Relationship between gastric xanthoma, gastric precancerous lesions, and gastric cancer: A retrospective study. Journal of Digestive Diseases (2023).
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