Many people are diagnosed with a disease such as intestinal metaplasia of the stomach, which is characterized by the degeneration of the gastric epithelium into the intestinal. The lining cells that produce hydrochloric acid cease to fulfill their function, as a result of which the digestive organs begin to suffer, and the metabolism is impaired.
The condition of a person with the occurrence of such a pathology is considered dangerous, but treatable. If instead of the cells of the stomach, colon cells multiply in it, then this is considered a precancerous condition. Although treatment in this case is possible, but with advanced forms, an extremely unfavorable prognosis is observed.
What is intestinal metaplasia?
This is a disease in which the tissues of the gastric mucosa are replaced by intestinal cells. The disease was first described more than 100 years ago by Professor Kupfer. This pathology most often affects the elderly. According to statistics, in 80% of patients there is chronic gastritis and a duodenal ulcer.
In healthy people, the tissues covering the walls of the stomach are updated all the time. If damage occurs, the cells begin to divide intensely, resulting in their increased migration and restoration of cell renewal. This process is disrupted in patients with chronic gastritis, due to which the gastric glands cease to fulfill their functions, leading to the formation of metaplasia.
Types of disease
Stomach metaplasia is of two types:
- small intestine (full, mature);
- colonic (incomplete, immature).
The mature form is distinguished by the presence of cells that can only be found in the small intestine: sulfamucins, limbic, goblet enterocytes. However, Paneta cells are considered the main sign that confirms this type of pathology. The tissues of the stomach begin to resemble the small intestine with both structure and functional properties.
Immature gastric metaplasia is characterized by impaired maturation and development of the gastric glands, and the epithelium is most often represented by cells of the large intestine.
You should be aware that in 94% of cases with gastric cancer incomplete metaplasia is detected. This condition is considered precancerous, untimely treatment of it leads to death.
In addition, squamous metaplasia is especially worth noting. We will analyze it in more detail.
What is squamous metaplasia?
A feature of this pathology is that in place of the normal layer of the epithelium a multilayer squamous cell is formed. At its core, this is the process of replacing mature, highly differentiated cells with less mature ones. The latter have a greater ability to adapt, as they often transform into any of the cell types that have high resistance to various damaging factors.
For example, squamous metaplasia of gastric epithelium in gastric ulcer helps to reduce the damaging effects of excess enzymes and acid. As soon as the irritating factor is eliminated, the tissue returns to its normal state.
However, as a sign of a pathological process, this type of metaplasia does not always have restrictive factors. This leads to the fact that immature cells, trying to adapt, begin to accumulate a large number of gene mutations and are no longer able to control their division, turning into a substrate of a cancerous tumor.
Why can metaplasia occur?
This disease develops for the following reasons:
- inflammation of the gastric mucosa caused by a variety of factors;
- chronic inflammation of the tissues of the esophagus;
- frequent stress;
- hormonal disorders;
- gastrointestinal irritation;
- gastritis, proceeding for a long time.
How is the disease manifested?
This disease in itself does not manifest itself in any way, and all the characteristic symptoms of metaplasia relate to diseases that contributed to its development. These include:
- nausea
- loss of appetite
- aching pain in the epigastric region.
The increased acidity of the stomach is accompanied by heartburn, "hungry" pains that can intensify at night. If intestinal metaplasia is accompanied by a drop in the contents of the stomach into the esophagus, vomiting and a feeling of bitterness in the oral cavity may appear.
Diagnostics
To identify the form of the disease, a histological examination is performed . It consists in the fact that small pieces of tissue are taken from the human body and are studied. The method of collecting epithelium or cells is called biopsy. This diagnostic method is considered mandatory if there is a suspicion of a malignant tumor.
To determine the degree of damage to the gastrointestinal tract, an additional study is carried out using endoscopic equipment. Tissues under suspicion are tinted with a special paint, which is absolutely harmless to the human body. If the cells are damaged, then they acquire a special color, and they are clearly visible under the microscope.
Treatment features
If intestinal metaplasia is diagnosed, the treatment of this disease is carried out with a medical and surgical method. The patient must be registered with a gastroenterologist.
Drug treatment
This method of treatment is used in the following cases:
- to eliminate gastroesophageal reflux disease - a disease characterized by the systematic throwing of acidic contents of the stomach into the esophagus, since it damages the mucous membrane;
- to prevent benign neoplasms;
- to suppress gastric secretion.
For treatment, the doctor may prescribe the following drugs:
- Proton pump inhibitors are modern medicines that reduce the acidity of gastric juice. These include Omeprazole, Rabeprazole, Pantoprazole.
- Antacids ("Fosfalugel", "Maalox") - drugs that help neutralize hydrochloric acid.
- H2 - histamine blockers ("Ranitidine", "Cimetidine") - antisecretory drugs.
- Gastroprotectors - if the acidity of the stomach is increased, they help prevent the destruction of the mucosa.
Surgical intervention
If conservative treatment has not brought a positive result, then the doctor may recommend surgery. How is metaplasia eliminated? This occurs using special endoscopic equipment to minimize the degree of injury, and this surgery is called minimally invasive. If necessary, the damaged area is completely removed. This method of treatment several times reduces the risk of carcinogenic formations.
Prevention
To avoid the occurrence of a disease such as intestinal metaplasia, preventive measures must be followed.
It is necessary to avoid the appearance of stressful situations, to respond positively to any stimuli. Be sure to fully relax.
Adhere to sanitary standards of nutrition. Intestinal metaplasia of the stomach causes not only the Helicobacter bacterium, but also other infections. In addition, if sanitary standards are violated, it is likely that food poisoning will occur, which will further irritate the gastric mucosa.
You should also adhere to a balanced diet. In this case, it is necessary to completely abandon such chemical surrogates as carbonated drinks, spicy, refined, salty products, smoked meats. It is best to include foods rich in dietary fiber in your diet. It can be various cereals, vegetables, herbs, fruits, whole grain bread.
Output
Thus, we found out what metaplasia is. This is a rather dangerous disease that can contribute to the onset of stomach cancer. Only a timely appeal to a specialist and compliance with all necessary recommendations can slow down or regress destructive processes.