Disclaimer

Although we take care to ensure accuracy, Macmillan Cancer Support does not accept liability for the information and materials provided or referenced in Ask an Expert or for any errors or omissions in them, or for third-party information or services such as other websites we may link to. The information and materials provided or referenced in Ask an Expert are for information purposes only and are not intended to be legal, financial or medical advice or opinions. If you need more details on your rights, please contact a financial, legal or other appropriate adviser.

We recommend that you consult your doctor if you are concerned about your health. Any You should not rely on any information and materials provided or referenced in Ask an Expert including by our Experts as they are not a replacement for advice, diagnosis or treatment from your medical team, and our Experts cannot provide a second opinion to that of your medical team.

Your question can be read by others – so please don't post your contact details or any other information that could personally identify you. Please read our Terms and Conditions and Community Guidelines for more details.

Intestinal metaplasia

FormerMember
FormerMember
  • 1 reply
  • 43 subscribers
  • 689 views

Hi, I have been recently diagnosed with erosive gastritis and recent biopsies have shown intestinal metaplasia, I have found out myself that this is a pre cancerous condition, my consultant has sent me a letter informing me of this but with no other information, treatment options or f/u. I am completely in the dark as to what to do next, I don't drink or smoke and do not have the H Pylori infection so I am unsure what has caused this and how to help the condition. So sorry if this is not the correct forum for me to be writing this, but I am worried and uncertain and was hoping someone could maybe give me some information. Many thanks in advance ( not used to writing on forums, you can probably tell!). Starry Night

  • Hi Starry Night,

    Thanks for getting in touch and welcome to our online community.

    Please don’t apologise for getting in touch. Being diagnosed with a pre-cancerous condition often causes worry and uncertainty.

    And having information about treatment and follow up can help.

    I’m not sure from your post if you are under a specialist team in the hospital, or if you were referred for an endoscopy by your GP.

    We’d recommend getting in touch with either of them, so you can ask them if regular check-ups are required. The hospital specialist team use guidelines to help them decide.

    They should also be able to say if any lifestyle changes are likely to help and if your gastritis needs treated.

    This information on intestinal metaplasia is from an American website. It explains what it is, and how it can affect the stomach and the oesophagus. It also explains how it might be categorized when it’s found in the stomach.

    I hope this is helpful.

    Sending best wishes,

    Carole – Cancer Information Nurse Specialist

    You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or send us an email. 

    Ref/SMc

Help us do whatever it takes, because we’ve never been needed more.

© Macmillan Cancer Support 2025 © Macmillan Cancer Support, registered charity in England and Wales (261017), Scotland (SC039907) and the Isle of Man (604). Also operating in Northern Ireland. A company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales company number 2400969. Isle of Man company number 4694F. Registered office: 3rd Floor, Bronze Building, The Forge, 105 Sumner Street, London, SE1 9HZ. VAT no: 668265007