From Bacteria to Benign Lesions: The Possible Role of Helicobacter pylori in the Pathogenesis of Gastric Xanthoma

A BSTRACT Xanthomatosis is a benign condition characterized by the local accumulation of cholesterol-rich macrophages, typically found in the skin. While xanthomatosis can occur in other parts of the body, it may not always be associated with hyperlipidemia. Gastrointestinal xanthoma often involves the stomach. Gastric polyps, or nodules, are frequently discovered during standard endoscopic procedures. Rarely, gastric nodules are discovered to be xanthoma, which are waxy lesions filled with lipids. Helicobacter pylori ( H. pylori ) infection is a significant cause of gastritis, which leads to various complications, including atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia. In our case, a 59-year-old female presented with pain in the abdomen along with dyspepsia, bloating, heartburn, and regurgitation. Endoscopy showed small sessile polyps in the antrum with erosive pangastritis. On histopathology, special stain, and immunohistochemistry, it was diagnosed as H. pylori -induced gastric xanthoma. The frequent correlation between gastric xanthoma and intestinal metaplasia, gastric cancer, gastric atrophy, and gastritis has been highlighted in a number of published studies. Therefore, early detection, treatment of any coexisting pathology, and careful clinical monitoring are essential.