Association of Helicobacter pylori with Gallbladder, Pancreatic, and Colorectal Malignancies: A Prospective Observational Study.

BACKGROUND

Helicobacter pylori is a globally prevalent pathogen implicated in multiple gastrointestinal malignancies. While its role in gastric cancer is well established, its association with extragastric malignancies such as gallbladder carcinoma (GBC), pancreatic carcinoma (PC), and colorectal carcinoma (CRC) remains contentious.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the prevalence of H. pylori in gallbladder, pancreatic, and colorectal malignancies and to assess its potential associations.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

This prospective observational study was conducted between January 2023 and March 2025 at a tertiary hospital in India. Seventy-six histologically confirmed cases of GBC ( n = 42), CRC ( n = 24), and PC ( n = 10) underwent immunohistochemistry testing for H. pylori . The data were analyzed using SPSS v26.0; P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of H. pylori was 22.4%. It was detected in 26.2% of GBC, 8.3% of CRC, and 40% of PC cases. However, no statistically significant association was found between H. pylori presence and any malignancy type ( P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Although H. pylori was detected in a subset of GBC, PC, and CRC cases, the association was not statistically significant. Further multicenter studies with larger cohorts are necessary to explore potential etiological roles.