Are nitrite and N-nitroso compounds in gastric juice risk factors for carcinoma in the operated stomach?

The concentration of nitrite and N-nitroso compounds was examined in the fasting gastric juice of 44 patients operated on for ulcer disease an average of 2.5 years previously and in 26 age-matched patients with healthy stomachs (controls). The concentration of nitrite and N-nitroso compounds in the gastric juice of the vagotomised patients did not differ from that of the controls. On the other hand, significant increases in nitrite concentrations were found in the gastric juice of patients managed by Billroth I or II procedures. The fraction of N-nitroso compounds was significantly increased only in the Billroth II resected stomach. These findings are relevant to the known cancer risk inherent in the gastric stump.