Helicobacter pylori as an Etiologic Factor in Primary Lung Carcinoma

• Published in: Bezmialem science Vol. 6; no. 2; pp. 134 - 137
• Main Author: BUYUKPINARBASILI, Nur
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Galenos Publishing House 01-04-2018
• Subjects: etiology; Helicobacter pylori; lung carcinoma
• ISSN: 2148-2373; 2148-2373
• DOI: 10.14235/bs.2018.1891

Objective:Although the importance of environmental and occupational exposure to carcinogenic agents in pulmonary carcinoma is well known, some other factors, such as familial predisposition, genetic abnormalities, and recently, the presence of Helicobacter pylori infection, are being disputed. This study focused on the relationship between pulmonary carcinoma and H. pylori infection.Methods:In total, 48 histologically verified and operated patients with pulmonary carcinoma, including 38 males and 10 females, were included; 22 of the cases were of squamous cell carcinomas and 26 were adenocarcinomas. The control group composed of 20 patients who underwent pulmonary operation for causes other than lung cancer. Adjacent non-neoplastic parenchymal and bronchial tissue examples were stained using the Giemsa stain in carcinoma cases. The pulmonary tissue-contained bronchial sections were stained in control cases. The bronchial epithelia and lumina in the Giemsa stained slides were examined for H. pylori bacilli.Results:H. pylori was found in 2 of 48 carcinoma cases. The histopathological diagnosis of these 2 cases was squamous cell carcinoma. But there wasn't any case stained for H.pylori in the control group.Conclusion:The relationship between pulmonary carcinoma and H. pylori infection had been researched through serological studies; however, conflicting evidences have been obtained. The bacterium is transmitted to the lungs via seeding and inhalation was reported to be effective directly. Chronic H. pylori infection leads to bronchial epithelial proliferation via increased gastrin level and cyclo-oxygenase-2. Moreover, it contributes to pulmonary carcinogenesis. In conclusion, an association between H. pylori infection and pulmonary carcinoma may be revealed by variable studies, and the underlying mechanisms can be understood.