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Epstein-Barr virus is associated with gastric carcinoma: The question is what is the significance?

2008; Baishideng Publishing Group; Volume: 14; Issue: 27 Linguagem: Inglês

10.3748/wjg.14.4347

2219-2840

Hugo Sousa, Ana L Pinto-Correia, Rui Medeiros, Mário Dinis‐Ribeiro,

Cholangiocarcinoma and Gallbladder Cancer Studies

AIM:To examine the possible role of the Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) in the development of gastric adenocarcinoma (GC).It is unclear whether EBV is involved in GC development or is a consequence of gastric inflammation secondary to immunosuppressive treatments.METHODS: A systematic review was carried out of all published observational studies on the temporal association between EBV and GC, with a view to determine a causal relationship.RESULTS: The present study showed that the w o r l d w i d e c r u d e p re va l e n c e o f E B V i n g a s t r i c adenocarcinoma was 8.29%.The prevalence varied from 7.08% for intestinal type and 9.82% for diffuse type of GC.It was observed that Western and Central Asian countries had a significantly higher frequency of EBV positive cases compared to South-Eastern countries.America had the highest EBV-GC prevalence whereas Europe had the lowest. CONCLUSION:The present review has demonstrated a high prevalence of EBV in gastric adenocarcinoma.However, studies designed to assess a temporal relationship and histological association using sensitive techniques should be carried out to establish the role of EBV in GC carcinogenesis.