Association between Helicobacter pylori infection and the types of tumor markers among Yemeni gastric cancer patients: a case-control study

Serum CEA and CA19-9 levels were measured among 85 patients with H. pylori infection (cases) and 85 without (controls). The median CEA levels were 7.05 ng/mL in H. pylori positive group and 7.14 ng/mL in negative group. The median CA19-9 levels were 33 U/mL in H. pylori positive group and 32 U/mL in negative group. No significant differences were found in the serum levels of CEA (p = 0.44) or CA19-9 (p = 0.94) between the two groups. However, a significant association was observed between H. pylori infection and gastric cancer site in cardia and fundus regions (p = 0.047). This study found no significant association between H. pylori infection and types of tumor markers (CEA and CA19-9) among Yemeni gastric cancer patients. However, the significant association between H. pylori infection and site of gastric cancer in cardia and fundus regions needs further investigations to reveal the associated mechanisms.