Risk factors for developing gastric cancer: A brief analysis of the literature

Authors

  • Manuel Alejandro Guzmán Salazar Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas. Facultad de Medicina de Tampico “Doctor Alberto Romo Caballero”
  • Raúl De León Escobedo Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas. Facultad de Medicina de Tampico “Doctor Alberto Romo Caballero”
  • Francisco Vazquez Nava Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas. Facultad de Medicina de Tampico “Doctor Alberto Romo Caballero”

Keywords:

Gastric cáncer, Risk factors, Helicobacter pylori

Abstract

Introduction: Gastric cancer (GC) is a common neoplasia and the leading cause of death from digestive cancer worldwide and in Mexico, primarily affecting people over 50 years of age. Its development is associated with chronic degradation of the gastric mucosa induced by Helicobacter pylori, diet, smoking, and other irritants, leading to atrophy and intestinal metaplasia.

Objectives: To analyze the current literature to provide a concise overview of the main risk factors associated with GC, highlighting their importance in prevention.

Materials and methods: A brief review of the scientific literature was conducted, focusing on relevant articles on risk factors for the development of GC. The information was synthesized to identify common patterns in recent research.

Results: The literature confirms the multifactorial nature of GC, highlighting Helicobacter pylori as the main risk factor. Smoking, alcohol consumption, dietary habits, and genetic predisposition are also associated. The progression of premalignant lesions highlights the need for early detection.

Conclusions: GC results from the interaction of multiple factors. Understanding it is essential for designing prevention and early detection strategies, with the goal of reducing its incidence and mortality in Mexico and globally.

Keywords: Gastric cáncer; Risk factors; Helicobacter pylori.

References

1. Buján Murillo Sebastián, Bolaños Umaña Stephanie, Mora Membreño Karla, Bolaños Martínez Isabel. Carcinoma gástrico: revisión bibliográfica. Medicina Legal de Costa Rica. 2020; 37(1): 62-73.

2. Hess T, Maj C, Gehlen J, Borisov O, Haas SL, Gockel I, et al. Dissecting the genetic heterogeneity of gastric cancer. EBioMedicine. 2023; 92: 104616.

3. Gullo I, Grillo F, Mastracci L, Vanoli A, Carneiro F, Saragoni L, et al. Precancerous lesions of the stomach, gastric cancer and hereditary gastric cancer syndromes. Pathologica. 2020; 112(3): 166-85.

4. Brismat Remedios Ihosvany, Morales de la Torre Roger, Gutiérrez Rojas Ángel Reinaldo. Comportamiento clínico epidemiológico del cáncer gástrico en el Hospital Calixto García. Rev Cubana Med Gen Integr. 2022; 38(2).

5. Alipour M. Molecular Mechanism of Helicobacter pylori-Induced Gastric Cancer. Journal Of Gastrointestinal Cancer. 2020; 52(1): 23-30.

6. Pérez Bastán Jesús Enrique, Hernández Ponce Regla, La Rosa Hernández Bernardo. Infección por Helicobacter pylori y factores asociados en adultos con sospecha clínica de úlcera duodenal. Rev.Med.Electrón. 2021; 43(3): 616-628.

7. Martínez-Carrillo DN, Arzeta Camero V, Jiménez-Wences H, Román-Román A, Gloria Fernández-Tilapa. Cáncer de estómago: factores de riesgo, diagnóstico y tratamiento. Alianzas y Tendencias BUAP. 2021; 6(23): 52-71.

8. Ali A, AlHussaini KI. Helicobacter pylori: A Contemporary Perspective on Pathogenesis, Diagnosis and Treatment Strategies. Microorganisms. 2024; 12(1): 222.

9. Yamaoka Y, Saruuljavkhlan B, Alfaray RI, Linz B. Pathogenomics of Helicobacter pylori. Current topics in microbiology and immunology. 2023; 444: 117-55.

10. Malfertheiner P, Camargo MC, El-Omar E, Liou JM, Peek R, Schulz C, Smith SI, Suerbaum S. Helicobacter pylori infection. Nature reviews. Disease primers. 2023; 9(1): 19.

11. Seyyedsalehi MS, Mohebbi E, Tourang F, Sasanfar B, Boffetta P, Zendehdel K. Association of Dietary Nitrate, Nitrite, and N-Nitroso Compounds Intake and Gastrointestinal Cancers: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Toxics. 2023; 11(2): 190.

12. Roldán Delfino LM, León Ramírez SM, Roldán Molina LF, Niño Ramírez SF, Arismendy López de Mesa AF, Bejarano Rengifo EJ, et al. Asociación entre variables de hábitos de alimentación y la presencia de cambios tróficos gástricos en una institución de gastroenterología de Medellín, Colombia. Rev. colomb. Gastroenterol. 2023; 38(3): 304-10.

13. Scherübl H. Tobacco Smoking and Gastrointestinal Cancer Risk. Visceral Medicine. 2022; 38(3): 217-22.

14. Hecht SS, Hatsukami DK. Smokeless tobacco and cigarette smoking: chemical mechanisms and cancer prevention. Nature Reviews Cancer. 2022; 22(3): 143-55. D

15. Jun S, Park H, Kim UJ, Choi EJ, Lee HA, Park B, Lee SY, Jee SH, Park H. Cancer risk based on alcohol consumption levels: a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis. Epidemiology and health. 2023; 45:e2023092.

16. Sánchez DG, Moreira OD, Toste MÁ. Actualización sobre los factores de riesgo asociados a la mortalidad del cáncer gástrico. Rev Haban Cienc Méd. 2021; 20(5): e3496.

17. Iizasa H, Kartika AV, Fekadu S, Okada S, Onomura D, Wadi AFAA, et al. Development of Epstein-Barr virus-associated gastric cancer: Infection, inflammation, and oncogenesis. World Journal Of Gastroenterology. 2022; 28(44): 6249-57.

18. Quimis-Cantos Y, Loor-Alvarado M, Muñiz-Quimis J, Ortega-Ponce J. Grupo sanguíneo ABO y su asociación con el cáncer gástrico. Polo del Conocimiento. 2021; 6(5): 1211-21.

19. Kamran S, Dilling MK, Parker NA, et al. Case Report: Simultaneously diagnosed gastric adenocarcinoma and pernicious anemia – a classic association. 2020; 9:604.

20. Norero Muñoz E. Cáncer gástrico hereditario. Indicaciones de estudio genético ¿Cuándo y a quiénes? Rev Cir. 2019; 71(5).

21. Machlowska J, Baj J, Sitarz M, Maciejewski R, Sitarz R. Gastric Cancer: Epidemiology, Risk Factors, Classification, Genomic Characteristics and Treatment Strategies. International Journal Of Molecular Sciences. 2020; 21(11): 4012.

Published

2025-12-08

How to Cite

Guzmán Salazar, M. A., De León Escobedo, R., & Vazquez Nava , F. (2025). Risk factors for developing gastric cancer: A brief analysis of the literature. Archivos De Medicina, Salud Y Educación Médica, 4(2). Retrieved from https://archivosdemedicina.uat.edu.mx/index.php/nuevo/article/view/97

Issue

Section

Artículos
Received 2025-09-26
Accepted 2025-11-03
Published 2025-12-08