My endoscopy results say nodular intestinal metaplasia in atrum and body. What does this mean?
Multiple biopsies were taken but still waiting for results...
Hi Ellalgv ,
My name is Liz and I’m one of the Macmillan cancer information nurse specialists on the Macmillan Support Line.
Thank you for contacting us for information about your endoscopy results.
Waiting for test results can be a very worrying time and I’m so glad you reached out for support.
Nodular intestinal metaplasia in the antrum and body of the stomach describes a transformation of the cells in the lining of your upper digestive tract. It’s called “intestinal” metaplasia because the cells change to become more like those that line the intestines.
This condition is considered a risk factor for cancer, but it is not cancer. What your doctors want to know from the biopsies is if the cells have gone through another transformation, known as dysplasia and become pre-cancerous. If they have, this information will guide how they look after you in the future.
Generally, biopsies take 10 working days to be processed. If you haven’t heard from the team who performed your endoscopy within that time it might be helpful to give your consultant’s secretary a phone call or email. If you don’t know your consultant's name, phone the main switchboard in the hospital and ask for the upper GI secretary.
I hope this information has been helpful. If you have any further questions, please get in touch by email, webchat or phone. The Macmillan Support Line offers practical, clinical, financial, and emotional support. You can call us free from landlines and from most mobile phone networks* on 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week, 8am – 8pm. You can also visit our Online Community, where you can talk to others who have been affected by cancer.
Best wishes,
Take care.
Liz
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 LZD/AM
