Clinical investigation of gastric MALT lymphoma / 대한내과학회지

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma of the stomach has recently been defined as a distinct clinicopathologic entity, often associated with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection. Characteristics and treatment outcomes of 57 patients with gastric MALT lymphoma were analyzed. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 57 cases of gastric MALT lymphoma who underwent treatment with various modalities at Samsung Medical Center from Mar. 1995 to Jul. 2000 was performed. RESULTS: The median age of the patients was 47 years (ranged from 22 to 75 years) and the ratio of males to females was 1.11. The presenting symptoms were abdominal pain, indigestion and GI bleeding. By Modified Ann Arbor system, stage IE accounted for 70.2%, stage II1E 14.0%, stage II2E 14.0%, and stage IV 1.8%, respectively. H. pylori had been evaluated histologically in 49 cases of which 81.6% was positive. Low grade histology accounted for 71.9% and high grade histology 28.1%. Treatment modalities included H. pylori eradication, surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and their combination therapy. In one case, the patient was observed without treatment. Complete remission rate was 98.2%. H. pylori eradication alone resulted in lymphoma regression successfully in 20 out of 23 patients. With median follow-up of 33 months (3-61 months), median survival was not reached. Overall 3 year survival rate was 94.7%. CONCLUSION: Regardless of treatment modality, high survival rate (3 year survival rate 94.7%) was obtained. H. pylori eradication was feasible and safe in the cases of low grade, stage I, and H. pylori-positive lymphoma, and allowed stomach preservation. Longer follow-up evaluation is required to determine the long-term efficacy and side effects of H. pylori eradication.