Abstract
The role of gastric epithelial dysplasia (GED) as a biological and morphological precursor
of gastric cancer has been widely investigated, but few studies have prospectively
evaluated the risk of its evolution into gastric cancer. In 1985, a prospective multicenter
follow-up study was undertaken on patients with high-grade (moderate or severe) GED.
The study involved 49 patients, with a follow-up currently averaging 18.8 months (range:
1-70) and a mean number of 4 endoscopies (range: 2-10). Follow-up was abandoned when
2 subsequent control endoscopies and a 1-year period were negative for GED, or when
neoplasia was detected. Gastric cancer was diagnosed in 16 cases (33 %). The cancer
was detected at an early stage in 10 patients (62 %). Eleven cases (59 %) were diagnosed
within 1 year of follow-up and 5 cases after 13, 18, 21, 24 and 39 months, respectively.
Cancer was associated with 36 % of moderate GED cases and with 80 % of severe cases.
Dysplastic changes were no longer detectable at follow-up in 27 % of the moderate
cases and in 10 % of the severe cases. The relative risks for the two lesions being
associated with or evolving into gastric cancer were 26 and 132, respectively. In
conclusion, high-grade (moderate or severe) GED is frequently associated with or evolves
into gastric cancer. The follow-up of patients considerably enhances the chances of
diagnosing gastric cancer in its early stages, thus making such an approach mandatory.
