Doctors found a small growth in a 75-year-old man’s stomach that turned out to be early-stage cancer. The patient had autoimmune gastritis, a condition where the body’s immune system attacks the stomach lining. This case is unusual because cancer developing from these stomach growths is rare. After removing the growth, doctors found the patient had advanced autoimmune gastritis with very high acid-producing hormone levels. This discovery suggests that high hormone levels in the stomach might increase cancer risk in people with this autoimmune condition, especially those without a common stomach bacteria infection.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether stomach growths can turn into cancer in people with autoimmune gastritis, a condition where the immune system damages the stomach lining
  • Who participated: One 75-year-old male patient with autoimmune gastritis and other autoimmune conditions (thyroid disease and a skin pigmentation disorder)
  • Key finding: A small 0.8 cm stomach growth was found to contain early-stage cancer. Testing showed the patient had very high levels of gastrin (a hormone that controls stomach acid) and low vitamin B12, which are signs of advanced autoimmune gastritis
  • What it means for you: This case suggests that people with autoimmune gastritis, especially those with very high gastrin levels, may need closer monitoring for stomach cancer risk. However, this is based on one patient, so more research is needed before making treatment changes

The Research Details

This is a case report, which means doctors documented one patient’s medical journey in detail. A 75-year-old man came in for a routine stomach examination using a camera (endoscopy). Doctors found a small growth (0.8 cm, about the size of a small pea) and removed it. When they examined the removed tissue under a microscope, they discovered it contained cancer cells. The patient was then followed up for 18 months to check for any return of the cancer. During follow-up testing, doctors confirmed he had autoimmune gastritis by checking for specific antibodies in his blood, measuring stomach acid-related hormones, and testing vitamin levels.

Case reports are important for identifying rare or unusual medical situations that doctors might not expect. This case is valuable because it shows that stomach growths in people with autoimmune gastritis can sometimes become cancerous, even though this is uncommon. It helps doctors know what to watch for and reminds them to monitor these patients carefully.

This is a single case report, which is the lowest level of scientific evidence. It describes what happened to one person but cannot prove that the same thing will happen to others. The case is well-documented with clear medical testing and follow-up, which makes it reliable for describing this one patient’s experience. However, readers should understand that one case cannot establish general rules for all patients with autoimmune gastritis.

What the Results Show

The main finding was that a small stomach growth in this patient contained cancer cells. The cancer was caught early (intramucosal stage), meaning it was still in the inner lining of the stomach and hadn’t spread deeper. After removing the growth, the patient had no signs of cancer returning during the 18-month follow-up period. The patient’s medical tests revealed advanced autoimmune gastritis with several warning signs: very high levels of gastrin hormone (a substance that controls stomach acid), low vitamin B12, and a low ratio of pepsinogen I to pepsinogen II (enzymes that help digest food). The patient tested negative for Helicobacter pylori, a common stomach bacteria that is usually associated with stomach cancer risk.

The patient also had two other autoimmune conditions: Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (where the immune system attacks the thyroid gland) and vitiligo (a condition causing loss of skin pigmentation). This suggests the patient had a broader autoimmune condition affecting multiple body systems. The presence of positive anti-parietal cell antibodies confirmed the autoimmune nature of the gastritis.

Cancer developing from stomach growths in autoimmune gastritis patients is very rare, which is why this case is noteworthy. Previous research has shown that autoimmune gastritis increases stomach cancer risk, but most cases develop from the damaged stomach lining itself rather than from these specific growths. This case adds to the understanding that these growths should be monitored and removed if they show signs of cancer. The finding that very high gastrin levels may increase cancer risk is consistent with some previous research suggesting that chronic acid stimulation might promote cancer development.

This is a single case involving one patient, so the findings cannot be generalized to all people with autoimmune gastritis. The patient was 75 years old, so results may not apply to younger patients. We cannot determine whether the high gastrin levels caused the cancer or were simply present at the same time. The case does not include information about the patient’s diet, lifestyle, or other factors that might influence cancer risk. Without studying many more patients, we cannot establish clear guidelines for screening or treatment of stomach growths in autoimmune gastritis patients.

The Bottom Line

People with autoimmune gastritis should discuss with their doctor whether they need regular stomach examinations (endoscopy) to screen for growths or cancer. If growths are found, doctors should consider removing them and examining them carefully for cancer cells. Maintaining adequate vitamin B12 levels through supplementation or dietary sources is important. However, these recommendations are based on limited evidence from this single case, so individual decisions should be made with a gastroenterologist.

This case is most relevant to people with autoimmune gastritis, especially those with very high gastrin levels or low vitamin B12. Doctors who treat autoimmune gastritis patients should be aware of this rare complication. People with multiple autoimmune conditions may want to discuss their individual cancer risk with their healthcare provider. This case is less relevant to people without autoimmune gastritis or those with stomach cancer caused by other factors.

In this case, the cancer was caught at an early stage and removed successfully. The patient remained cancer-free at 18 months after treatment. However, long-term follow-up beyond 18 months would be needed to determine if the cancer stays gone. People with autoimmune gastritis should expect to need ongoing monitoring rather than a one-time treatment.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track dates and results of endoscopy (stomach camera) examinations, including any growths found, their size, and whether they were removed. Also track vitamin B12 levels and gastrin hormone levels from blood tests to monitor disease progression.
  • Set reminders for scheduled endoscopy appointments as recommended by your doctor. Log any stomach symptoms (pain, bloating, nausea) between appointments. Take vitamin B12 supplements as prescribed and track compliance. Keep a record of any new autoimmune symptoms that develop.
  • Maintain a timeline of all stomach-related medical visits and test results. Create alerts for when follow-up endoscopies are due. Track trends in vitamin B12 and gastrin levels over time to identify changes that might warrant more frequent monitoring. Share this information with your gastroenterologist at each visit.

This case report describes one patient’s experience and should not be interpreted as medical advice for all people with autoimmune gastritis. Cancer risk varies significantly between individuals. If you have autoimmune gastritis or symptoms of stomach problems, consult with a gastroenterologist or your primary care doctor about appropriate screening and monitoring for your specific situation. Do not make changes to your medical care based solely on this case report. Always discuss screening recommendations, treatment options, and vitamin supplementation with your healthcare provider.