Five years follow-up after eradication of Helicobacter pylori and histological regression of low grade gastric malt-lymphoma

The incidence of primary gastric lymphoma in Italy is considerably higher than that observed in the rest of Europe. It is widely accepted that gastric B-cell, low-grade mucosalassociated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma is caused by specific host-bacterial interactions that occur during Helicobacter pylori infection. This review examines recent findings on the origins, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of gastric MALT lymphomas. Clinical and endoscopic findings at diagnosis vary widely. In a substantial number of cases, the patient presents only vague dyspeptic symptoms or poorly defined abdominal pain with no macroscopic lesions on the gastric mucosa. Review of data from 32 trials in which a total of 1,387 MALT-lymphoma patients of the stomach were treated solely with H. pylori eradication revealed high remission rates when the disease is treated early (stage I-II1). Neoplasia confined to the submucosa, antral localization of tumors, and negativity for the API2-MALT1 translocation were associated with a high probability of remission following H. pylori eradication. When the latter approach is not sufficient, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and, in selected cases, surgery are associated with high success rates; data on the efficacy of monoclonal antibody therapy (rituximab) are still limited. Five-year survival rates are higher than 90%. Patients whose tumors have been eliminated require close, long-term endoscopic follow-up since recurrence has been reported in some cases. Broader clinical follow-up is also advisable because the incidence of other solid tumors and of cardiovascular events is reportedly increased in these patients.

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Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) in staging and follow-up of patients with malt lymphoma treated conservatively

Acta chirurgica iugoslavica ◽

10.2298/aci0501083p ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 52 (1) ◽

pp. 83-89 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

A.R. Pavlovic ◽

M. Krstic ◽

D. Tomic ◽

Milos Bjelovic ◽

R. Jesic ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Helicobacter Pylori ◽

Malt Lymphoma ◽

Gastric Wall ◽

Gastric Lymphoma ◽

Eradication Therapy ◽

Muscularis Propria ◽

Wall Thickening ◽

Low Grade ◽

Ann Arbor

Background: Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) is an important tool for diagnosis and pretreatment staging of primary gastric lymphoma. The aim of the study was to evaluate the diagnostic importance of endosonography (EUS)in gastric lymphoma; to assess the depth of tumoral infiltration in low-grade gastric lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) and to assess EUS response to medical treatment (Cyclophosphamid/Mabtera and/or anti-Helicobacter pylori therapy). Methods: 26 patients with MALT gastric lymphoma were investigated by EUS. Six of them were evaluated after the eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection and 20 after and during the cyclophosphamide/Mabtera and anti H.pylori treatment. EUS staging was compared with histopathology. Tumors were staged according to the 2000 TNM and modified Ann Arbor classification. Results: Six patients were treated with anti - Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy. Full regression of lymphoma was observed in 2 of 6 (33.3%) patients, which was endoscopicaly and histologicaly proved. EUS correlated with histology in all (6/6). In 20 patients treated with cyclophosphamide/Mabtera therapy, EUS revealed regression of lymphoma in 14 cases. Positive correlation with histology was found in 11 patients (11/14; 78%). The initial EUS showed an increased wall thickness more than 5mm in 24 of 26 patients (92%). The thickening was predominantly of mucosa and submucosa and in 11 patients extended the muscularis propria. After the therapy, the gastric wall thickening returned to normal in 14 patients, however, 3 of them still had positive histology findings. In 2 cases, during the follow-up, the EUS showed remained thickening of gastric wall, whereas biopsies were negative. Six months later histology revealed progressive low-grade MALT lymphoma in this cases. Conclusion: EUS appears to be a sensitive procedure for initial staging and assessment of treatment response and long-term follow up in patients with gastric lymphoma. The importance of EUS lies in ability to detect relapse early, too.

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