Atrophic gastritis with intestinal metaplasia of the glands is cancer?

Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
Updated on May 22, 2025
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Atrophic gastritis with intestinal metaplasia of the glands is not cancer, but it is a precancerous lesion that requires high attention from the patient. If the patient does not promptly revisit gastroscopy, does not undergo periodic review, or does not adopt active medication treatment, it may eventually degenerate into gastric cancer over time. Therefore, once atrophic gastritis with intestinal metaplasia is detected, active treatment should be initiated. Treatment with traditional Chinese medicine can be considered, but it should be carried out under the diagnosis and treatment of an experienced Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) doctor.

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Written by Si Li Li
Gastroenterology
1min 7sec home-news-image

Can atrophic gastritis and gastric ulcers eat sweet potatoes?

Patients with atrophic gastritis and gastric ulcers should not eat sweet potatoes. Common symptoms for patients with atrophic gastritis and gastric ulcers include upper abdominal distension and pain, belching, acid reflux, nausea, vomiting, poor appetite, indigestion, and heartburn. After a clear diagnosis, standardized medication treatment is required. Additionally, it is essential for these patients to quit smoking and drinking alcohol; they should not drink strong tea or coffee. Foods that are rich, greasy, spicy, fried, grilled, cold, sweet, along with milk, soy milk, glutinous rice, and sweet potatoes are also not recommended. For example, sweet potatoes are difficult to digest and can increase gastric acid secretion, which further irritates the gastric mucosa and aggravates these two diseases. Therefore, patients with atrophic gastritis and gastric ulcers should not eat sweet potatoes.

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Written by Si Li Li
Gastroenterology
1min 7sec home-news-image

How to treat chronic atrophic gastritis with intestinal metaplasia?

The treatment of chronic atrophic gastritis with intestinal metaplasia mainly includes the following aspects: The first is general treatment. Firstly, the diet should be light and easily digestible, avoiding spicy, stimulating, fried, grilled, cold, and sweet foods. It is important to exercise regularly and avoid emotions such as anxiety and depression. The second is the treatment against Helicobacter pylori, including a proton pump inhibitor plus two antibiotics, and a bismuth agent, with a treatment course of 14 days. Additionally, medications that promote gastric motility and protect the gastric mucosa are used. The fourth involves endoscopic treatments, including endoscopic APC treatment or endoscopic mucosal resection. The fifth, combining traditional Chinese medicine, differentiating syndrome treatments and oral herbal medicines, can also achieve good effects.

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Written by Jiang Guo Ming
Gastroenterology
1min 22sec home-news-image

How to prevent and treat atrophic gastritis

Chronic gastritis includes two types: chronic non-atrophic gastritis and chronic atrophic gastritis. Chronic atrophic gastritis is generally more severe than chronic non-atrophic gastritis and usually accompanies intestinal metaplasia, which some refer to as a precancerous lesion. If chronic atrophic gastritis is present, formal medical treatment is necessary. Initially, it is advisable to check for Helicobacter pylori infection. If an Helicobacter pylori infection is found, timely eradication therapy is recommended, typically using quadruple therapy, which consists of a proton pump inhibitor, two types of antibiotics, and a bismuth agent. If there is no Helicobacter pylori infection, treatment generally focuses on symptomatic relief, such as protecting the gastric mucosa and enhancing gastric motility. Additionally, traditional Chinese medicine has shown satisfactory effects in treating chronic atrophic gastritis. It is also important to maintain good dietary and living habits, prefer light and easily digestible foods, and avoid raw, greasy, spicy, and irritating foods to help maintain a positive state of mind. Regular gastroscopy check-ups are necessary. (Medication should be taken under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Jiang Guo Ming
Gastroenterology
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How to completely cure atrophic gastritis?

Chronic atrophic gastritis generally develops from chronic non-atrophic gastritis, and the most likely cause may be Helicobacter pylori infection. Of course, there are also other reasons, such as poor dietary habits, emotional factors, etc. In such cases, it is first necessary to check for Helicobacter pylori infection, usually using a breath test. If Helicobacter pylori infection is present, quadruple therapy is generally used for eradication treatment. Eradication of Helicobacter pylori can be very helpful for patients with atrophic gastritis, and in some cases, can partially reverse the atrophy. If there is no Helicobacter pylori infection, symptomatic treatment is generally the main approach. Additionally, conditioning through traditional Chinese medicine can also be very helpful. (Specific medication use should be carried out under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
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Is atrophic gastritis negative a problem?

Atrophic gastritis negative generally means there's no major issue. A negative result for atrophic gastritis indicates that the patient is unlikely to have atrophic gastritis. In such cases, it may be considered that there is chronic superficial gastritis. If the patient has symptoms such as acid reflux, belching, heartburn, nausea, vomiting, etc., the use of proton pump inhibitors can be considered to suppress the secretion of stomach acid, and products such as aluminum magnesium carbonate and sucralfate to protect the gastric mucosa. Treatment to promote gastric motility such as Itopride or Mosapride can also be considered. Additionally, it is necessary to conduct a Carbon-13 urea breath test or Carbon-14 urea breath test to check for Helicobacter pylori infection.