Role of Helicobacter pylori in esophageal carcinogenesis: Friend or foe?

In this letter, we comment on the article by López-Gómez et al, which explores the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection among patients with esophageal carcinoma (EC) in a cohort of Spain population. The relationship between H. pylori infection and EC is very complex. Previous research results are often contradictory due to the influence of dietary habits, age, region, and other factors. López-Gómez et al reported a very low prevalence of previous H. pylori infection in their cohort of patients with EC, and most of them had previously received or concomitantly received proton pump inhibitors treatment. These results are similar to previous results, which suggest that H. pylori infection is related to the low incidence of EC. Therefore, this study may provide a direction for preventing EC and eradicating H. pylori in Spain.