[Prevention of gastric cancer: Helicobacter--eradication and immunization].

Adenocarcinoma of the stomach (excluding carcinoma of the cardia) has been established as a consequence of gastric infection with Helicobacter pylori (H.p.). The specific role of H.p. in the pathogenesis is unknown so far; yet, several other factors are involved in the development of the neoplasia. Since-in contrast to the wide prevalence of the infection-only very few persons will develop gastric carcinomas, prophylaxis by H.p. eradication is not advisable. This may change after a vaccination has become available; however, studies on the characterization of efficient vaccines are still under investigation. Thus, H.p. eradication treatment may, if at all, be used as prophylaxis for gastric carcinoma only in clinical studies and in subjects at a high risk for this tumour.