Bulletin Autumn‧Winter 1997

HlGHLIGHTS OF RGC-FUNDED PROJECT P eptic ulcer is the most c ommon chronic illness of the digestive system causing on-and-off symptoms of upper abdominal pain, fullness, gas and bloating. In some patients, it may also give rise to serious complications such as bleeding, bowel perforation, and obstruction. Ulcer b l eed i ng (fig.1) is one of the most common reasons for emergency hospital admission and the incidence of this condition in Hong Kong tops the list in the whole world. Acid — the Culprit of Peptic Ulcers? A Ge rman physician so stated a century ago ： 'No acid, no ulcer.' The treatment of peptic ulcers has for a long time been concentrated on suppressing acid secretion in the stomach by long- term medication or surgery. Potent and expensive ulcer healing drugs have been From Helicobacter Pylori to Peptic Ulcer to Gastric Cancer 27 From HeliCObacter P y l o r i toPepticUlcer to Gastrie Cancer