What is metaplasia of the stomach?

Answer 1

MetaplasiaMetaplasia (change in form, Greek) is the replacement of one differentiated cell type with another mature differentiated cell type. The change from one type of cell to another is generally caused by some sort of abnormal stimulus. In simplistic terms, it is as if the original cells are not robust enough to withstand the new environment, and so they change into another type more suited to the new environment. If the stimulus that caused metaplasia is removed or ceases, tissues return to their normal pattern of differentiation. Causes

There are three main theories as to how metaplasia occurs:

• Differentiated cells may change their pattern of differentiation in a process termed transdifferentiation.

• Local stem cells, which are believed to generate new cells in most tissues, become reprogrammed by the changed environment to form a new form of cell.

• Circulating stem cells in the blood, which are recognised to colonise tissues, may start to grow in damaged tissues and produce a new form of cell.

TreatmentThe medical significance of metaplasia is that in some sites cells may progress from metaplasia, to develop dysplasia, and then neoplasia (cancer). Thus, at sites where metaplasia is detected, efforts are made to remove the causative irritant, thereby decreasing the risk of progression to malignancy. The metaplastic area must be carefully monitored to ensure that dysplastic change does not begin to occur. A progression to significant dysplasia indicates that the area could need removal to prevent the development of cancer.

Answer 2

Intestinal Metaplasia is the replacement of normal gastirc cells to another diffentiated cell type. The most common cause of this type if metaplasia is the result of chronic gastritis. During chronic gastritis you have atrophy of the mucosa which leads to decrease in acid secretion and mucous secretion, which quickly conducts ulcers. The constant regenerative response to such ulcers leads to metaplsia and eventually lead to foveolar hyperplasia, and then dysplasia

Answer 3

Metaplasia is when the cells in a certain area of the body change from one cell type to another. For example in the stomach the epithlium (cells that make up the lining of the stomach) is normally a columnar type of cell. However, certain stimuli can change the type of cell leading to an abnormality.

In the stomach it would most likely be a sign of cancer, however, metaplasia of the stomach is very rare. Metaplasia of the esophagus or the intestine is much more common and is caused by conditions of the stomach being abnormal such as gastric reflux causing metaplasia in the esophagus and too much acid secretion from the stomach causing metaplasia in the intestine.