Digital quantitative analysis of muscularis mucosae thickness in early gastric cancer specimens reveals anatomical variation.

infection were evaluated. No significant association was observed between MM thickness and cancer invasion, tumor size, or other clinical parameters. MM thickness was significantly greater in the pyloric antrum than in the gastric body and was thicker in the lesser curvature than in the greater curvature. In addition, MM thickness was significantly greater in cases with mucosal atrophy than in those without. Given the association between the presence of mucosal atrophy and increased MM thickness, together with the fact that the observed anatomical differences correspond to the distribution and progression of chronic gastritis, it is reasonable to speculate that chronic gastritis contributes to thickening of the MM.