ANTIBIOTICS TO CURE STOMACH CANCER

Report #6564 7/13/95

An article in the British Journal, Lancet, shows that taking antibiotics to kill helicobacter, the bacteria that causes stomach ulcers can cure a type of stomach cancer called lymphoma.

Almost all cases of stomach cancer in this country are associated with Helicobacter. So, having the symptoms of stomach ulcers and not being treated increases your chances of getting stomach cancer. If you have belching, burping, a sour taste in your mouth, mouth odor, a white coated tongue or a burning pain in your stomach or chest that gets worse when you are hungry and better when you eat, you probably have too much stomach acid. The vast majority of people who have these symptoms have an infection with a bacteria called helicobacter pylori. If you have these symptoms, you need a blood test to see if you have helicobacter and a special x ray called an upper G.I. Series to check to see if you have a cancer. Most gastroenterologists recommend that you have a tube inserted into your stomach to check for cancer. If you are infected with helicobacter, you have an 92% chance of being cured in one week by taking three medications called metronidazole (250 mg four times a day), amoxacillin (500 mg three times a day) and omeperazole (20 mg once a day.) Most doctors recommend that you then take a bismuth-containing compound, such a Pepto Bismol, for a few months and to check if you are cured, take a follow up blood test for helicobacter at least 8 weeks later.

By Gabe Mirkin, M.D., for CBS Radio News