Can stomach cancer develop without a previous gastric/peptic Ulcer(H.pylori infection)?

I have known of a person who was diagnosed with stomach cancer and in 3 months he was dead.But I don't know whether he had gastric ulcer or not.But another person I know died of stomach cancer several years after he was operated on due to gastric ulcer.As H.pylori infection is a major causal factor for both, should an ulcer or an infection always precede cancer development?

Neither ulcers or H. pylori infection is necessary for cancer development, and if you have either of these conditions it certainly does not mean you will get stomach cander. There are also multiple genetic factors involved in gastric carcinoma, as well as other gastric conditions which can predispose to cancer. H.pylori has been shown to be the causative organism for a large percentage of ulcers, but you should know that many people live with H.pylori in their stomachs and never experience any symptoms or problems.
Another point to make is that often with stomach cancers they will ulcerate and therefore can present initially as an ulcer, although the cancer was the cause of the ulcer.
Both ulcers and H.pylori increase the risk of gastic carcinoma (GC), as they alter the mucosa, but GC can occur without either.
Although GC is an awful disease and has a bad prognosis, it is becoming less and less common due to the medical advances and our ability to treat precursor conditions such as the ones you described. If you are at all worried, chat to your doctor, who can organise a simple test to check for H.pylori if necessary.

not always...

Yes, stomach cancer can develop without a previous peptic ulcer. But peptic ulcers turning to cancer are very common.

cancer of stomach is known as death of captan. It may be develope with or without ulcer or infection.
Dr. Chotiwala from www.chotiwalasayurveda.com

untreated gastric ulcer may lead to carcinoma of stomach.ulcer may be due to h.pylori infection or increased gastric acid secretion.

No Ulcer will not precede cancer.
Neither is H.Pylori infestation a must for developing cancer, it helps to eradicate it though

Yes cancer can develop without peptic ulcer.
H.Pylori does not causes stomach cancer, but much blame is put on it.

Death is quick in cancer of stomach, because of hematamesis, and patient inability to take food /nutrients and anemia etc.
Any peptic ulcer larger than 2 Cms must be taken as Cancer of stomach.

Well, exception are there but it is a blue moon case, BUT the Ulcer was there. After endoscopy and doing no one goes for a robust once diagnosis of cancer of stomach is established.
Funny, he must have opened and closed the abdomen.
Thanks he didn't had have table death.

Yes. Gastric cancer can develop without preceding H. Pylori affliction. Gastric cancer has over all not so bright prognosis unless diagnosed at early stage. On brighter side Upper GI endoscopy simple tool is available for early detection. The symptoms many times could be very vague. Hence Loss of appetite, loss of weight, Vomiting, Nausea, or blood in stool should be taken seriously and approached vigourously. Endoscopy, Stool exam, Serological tests, CT scan helps in comprehensive management of the disease.