Regular Endoscopy?

I am wondering after reading a few posts on here, whether or not I need to have a regular endoscopy.

I have been diagnosed with PA since April 2018. Whilst my stomach issues are better than when first diagnosed I still feel odd sensations and feeling there. I have had two endoscopies so far (as well as a host of other diagnostic tests). They found evidence of striped antral gastritis and nothing more following biopsies (I know PA is classically concerned with the upper part of the stomach and not the antral region).

Given these ongoing sensations I am experiencing I am woondering how many others on the forum have regular check ups by way of endoscopy to check for stomach issues and potential tumour growth. I did ask my gastroenterologist about this but he dismissed my request.

Interested to hear views.

[fbirder]

The idea of regular gastroscopies is to look out for neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) which are more common in those with PA. However, they are still very uncommon and they are very slow growing.

I do have NETs, first discovered (as abnormal histology in biopsy samples) four years ago. We decided that annual gastroscopies every year would be the best idea. But, after the first three, with no apparent change in their appearance, we decided to switch to every two years.

Apart from those weird biopsy results nobody would ever know I had the NETs. They certainly don't seem to have any physical effect.

So I wouldn't worry about them. If they didn't find any last year then you almost certainly don't have them now. And, even if they did pop up recently, they're very, very, unlikely to do anything apart from sit there for years.

You could ask your gastro for a serum gastrin test. If that is elevated then you may be at risk of developing NETs sometime over the next few decades. Then a gastroscopy every five years might be a good idea.

[Hidden in reply to fbirder]

Thanks fbirder that’s really good to know. Much appreciated.

[GastritisB12]

Here is a BMJ article link, they suggest 3-5 years. I have heard every 2 years also but I can't find the reference.

bmj.com/content/365/bmj.l18...

[Hidden in reply to GastritisB12]

Many thanks indeed. Think I may just have a test in another 2 years. Much appreciated.