Endoscopic Diagnosis of Gastric MALT Lymphoma

ABSTRACT

Gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma accounts for 2~7% of gastric malignancy, and its occurrence has been increasing. The connection between Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) and gastric MALT lymphoma has been well established. In low grade gastric MALT lymphoma, H. pylori eradication can induce complete remission, so early detection is very important. However, endoscopic findings of MALT lymphoma are nonspecific and diagnosis is difficult by the naked eye due to various endoscopic appearances such as erosion, erythema, ulceration, atrophy and submucosal mass. Repeated deep tissue biopsies of the suspicious lesions and confirmation of the typical lymphoepithelial lesions is essential for diagnosis. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) can aid in accurate diagnosis, staging, and prediction of prognosis in gastric MALT lymphoma.