Are patients with pernicious anemia at an increased risk for gastric cancer? Is endoscopic screening or surveillance required?
- Yes. Individuals with pernicious anemia have an estimated two- to threefold increased risk of developing gastric cancer.
- The risk for developing gastric cancer in patients with pernicious anemia is highest within the first year of diagnosis, so a single endoscopy should be considered to identify prevalent neoplasia.
- There is insufficient data to support subsequent endoscopic surveillance.
