The reason why duodenal ulcers are less likely to become cancerous is mainly related to their pathological characteristics and biological behavior. Treatment focuses on eliminating the cause, relieving symptoms, and promoting healing. Duodenal ulcers are often associated with excessive gastric acid secretion, Helicobacter pylori infection, and the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Their low risk of cancer is because the ulcers are usually confined to the mucosal layer and rarely involve deeper tissues, and the duodenal mucosa has low sensitivity to cancer.
1. Pathological characteristics: Duodenal ulcers mostly occur in the duodenal bulb, and the lesions are usually confined to the mucosal layer, rarely invading the muscular layer or serosa. This superficial nature makes the ulcer less prone to malignant transformation. The duodenal mucosa has a rapid cell renewal rate and strong repair capacity after damage, further reducing the risk of cancer.
2. Biological Behavior: The occurrence of duodenal ulcers is mainly related to excessive gastric acid secretion, Helicobacter pylori infection, and the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Although these factors can lead to mucosal damage, they generally do not cause cell gene mutations. The duodenal mucosa has low sensitivity to carcinogens, and the local microenvironment is unfavorable for cancer cell growth.
3. Treatment Measures: The key to treating duodenal ulcers is eliminating the cause, relieving symptoms, and promoting healing. Drug therapy includes proton pump inhibitors such as omeprazole and lansoprazole, H2 receptor antagonists such as ranitidine and famotidine, and gastric mucosal protectants such as sucralfate and bismuth potassium citrate. For Helicobacter pylori infection, triple or quadruple therapy is required to eradicate the bacteria. Dietary recommendations include avoiding spicy and greasy foods and choosing easily digestible foods such as porridge and noodles. Lifestyle recommendations include quitting smoking, limiting alcohol consumption, and reducing stress.
Although duodenal ulcers present with obvious symptoms, the risk of cancer is low. With proper treatment and lifestyle adjustments, most patients can achieve a good prognosis.