What is focal incomplete intestinal metaplasia?

Intestinal metaplasia (IM) as precancerous lesion is either partial or complete transformation of gastric glands epithelial cells into the intestinal type. It may appear either in antrum or pylorus mucosa or diffusely.

What does focal intestinal metaplasia mean?

Your healthcare provider may categorize gastric intestinal metaplasia (IM) based on the extent it’s in your stomach: Focal means IM is limited to a small, localized area in your stomach. Extensive means IM is found in more than one area of your stomach. Extensive IM is more likely to progress toward cancer.

What percentage of intestinal metaplasia turns into cancer?

In a retrospective study in Slovenia on cancer registry, the cumulative incidences of gastric cancer in those patients previously diagnosed with IM were 1.3% in complete IM-type I, 2.8% in incomplete IM-type II and 9.8% in incomplete IM-type III patients[53].

Is intestinal metaplasia curable?

In the long term, with follow up of at least five years, there is epidemiological evidence that IM may be reversible although a combination of antioxidant agents and eradication of H pylori may be necessary to achieve this.

What is the best treatment for intestinal metaplasia?

There is no treatment for GIM. GIM is asymptomatic. Time to develop cancer has been reported to be 4.6–7 years.23, 29, 30 A European guideline in 2019 recommends regular surveillance for early cancer as the main management for GIM. In Asia, screening for early gastric cancer remains a prevalent approach.

What are the symptoms of intestinal metaplasia?

Most people do not experience noticeable symptoms of intestinal metaplasia. In fact, the condition is not typically associated with any adverse symptoms.1 Others may have symptoms of stomach distress, such as acid reflux, ulcers, gastritis, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Does intestinal metaplasia mean cancer?

Intestinal metaplasia, a condition in which the cells lining the stomach are abnormal, may be a sign that you are at risk for developing cancer; it does not necessarily mean that you have cancer. 6 You many also have intestinal metaplasia without ever developing stomach cancer.