Peptic ulcers, also known as stomach ulcers, are sores that develop on the stomach lining or the upper section of the small intestine. They typically occur as a result of infection with the Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacteria or prolonged use of certain pain-relieving drugs, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Although these ulcers may result in serious pain, it is not cancer. There is one significant correlation worth noting, however—stomach ulcers cause cancer in rare cases.
Learning the Connection Between Ulcers and Cancer
Most people fear that ulcers in the stomach may become cancer, but the two are not similar, though they are correlated to some extent. Such causes are the major risk factors more than the ulcer itself:
How Ulcers Differ from Cancer
The ulcer in the stomach is one of the conditions that is not caused by cancer, but rather by damage to the lining that protects the stomach, allowing acid to corrode the lining beneath. Stomach cancer, in its turn, is an unregulated increase of damaged cells in the lining of the stomach.
They are distinct conditions, and although they may share similar symptoms, including abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, and a loss of appetite, they are separate.
Also read: Avoid Digestive Discomfort: 5 Stomach Care Tips for the Holidays
The Link Between H. pylori and Cancer Risk
The fact that H. pylori is a causative factor of the development of ulcers is the primary reason why ulcers are sometimes associated with cancer. It is the most common cause of most stomach ulcers, and gastric cancer is also one of the other risks that are attributed to this bacterium.
Persistent infection may result in chronic inflammation, leading to yearly alterations in the cell transformation of the stomach lining.
Such changes may even predispose one to cancer development in certain instances. This notwithstanding, most ulcer victims, despite the inclusion of H. pylori ulcers, in fact, never develop cancer, particularly when they are treated earlier enough.
When to Be Concerned
In certain instances, an obvious ulcer may turn out to be the onset of stomach cancer, leading some to believe stomach ulcers cause cancer. Unexplained weight loss, continual stomach pain, vomiting blood, or black sticky stools should not be ignored and must be reviewed immediately. A cancerous lesion is usually diagnosed using an endoscopy to distinguish it from a simple ulcer.
Final Words
Although indeed, ulcers do not become cancer, the causal factors, and in particular H. pylori infection, can predispose one when they are not addressed.
According to Dr Avadh Patel, untreated ulcers not only cause unpleasant sensations but also act as a precondition for developing severe disorders. This has led some to believe that stomach ulcers directly cause cancer.