Intestinal metaplasia

Generality

Intestinal metaplasia is the phenomenon whereby a more or less extended epithelial area of ​​a certain organ assumes the characteristics of the epithelium typically present in the intestine.

Intestinal metaplasia is not a tumor process; in fact, the cells of the epithelium involved are healthy and do not have the proliferative characteristics typical of tumor cells. However, it is still a condition to be kept under control, as, in rare circumstances, it can degenerate into a malignant tumor with serious repercussions.
In the human being, the main examples of intestinal metaplasia concern the esophagus and stomach.
Associated with several factors, including cigarette smoking, the "Helicobacter Pylori and gastroesophageal reflux disease, intestinal metaplasia is a completely asymptomatic phenomenon, the detection of which requires specific diagnostic tests such as endoscopy or tissue biopsy.