The possible link between gastric mucosal atrophy and early gastric cancer (EGC) after <i>H</i>. <i>pylori</i> eradication.

<p>(a) Two typical types of EGC, in relation to the endoscopically assessed atrophic mucosa. In case A, a cancerous lesion was observed as the reddish area (white arrowhead) within the atrophic border (white dotted line). In case B, a cancerous lesion was observed as the reddish area (white dotted line) within the atrophic area. (b) The association between the endoscopically assessed atrophic mucosa and the locations of 64 EGC lesions. The black circle shows the EGCs located within atrophic area; the grey circle shows the EGCs located within atrophic border; the white circle shows the EGCs located outside the atrophic area; gre, greater curvature; less, lesser curvature; AW, anterior; PW posterior.