GASTRITIS, ATROPHY AND METAPLASIA: A PATHOLOGISTS PERPECTIVE

Society: AGA

Gastritis is frequently encountered by gastroenterologists in their evaluation of patients with foregut-related symptoms. There is an unmet need for GI clinicians to become familiar with the many types of gastritis given the several etiologies present, and the implications for treatment, prognosis, and surveillance. Gastric metaplasia, although uncommon in US populations, presents a quandary for practicing physicians given the general unfamiliarity with its classification, management and prognosis. Several novel endoscopic techniques have been proposed to improve the diagnosis of gastric preneoplastic lesions and help personalize and guide the most appropriate surveillance strategy. The purpose of this session is thus to familiarize clinicians with how to approach and manage the patient with gastritis and/or gastric atrophy/metaplasia with the aim of obtaining a definitive diagnosis, staging and grading the lesion, identifying the likely etiologic factor, and initiating appropriate treatment and surveillance.