Esophagus, Stomach & Intestine; Endoscopic Findings of Gastric Mucosa: Associated Lymphoid Tissue (MALT) Lymphoma

Rhee, Jong Chul; Lee, Hwa Young; Rhee, Poong Lyul; Kim, Jae Jun; Paik, Seung Woon; Koh, Kwang Cheul; Go, Jae Hyang

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS
Helicobacter pylori is found in more than 90% of patients with gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma. Regression of lymphoma after H. pylori eradication was reported. Therefore, early detection of gastric MALT lymphoma is important. On reported several endoscopic findings, nonspecific gastritis with erosion and ulceration were common and there is no typical endoscopic findings.
METHODS
Therefore we analyzed the endoscopic findings of 16 low-grade B-cell gastric MALT lymphoma confirmed by biopsy, PCR and immunostain and compared histologic change after eradicating H. pylori infection in patients who refused operation retrospectively from March 1995 to October 1996.
RESULTS
The male: female ratio was 7:9 and mean age was 43,7 years ald (23-71 yr), On endoscopic findings of gastric MALT lymphoma, irregular shaped geographic superficial ulcer was 7 cases (43.7%), diffuse mucosal nodularity was 4 cases (25.0%) and erosion was 3 cases (18.7%). The most common site of MALT lymphoma was antrum and angle. H. pylori was positive in 87.5% (14/16 cases) and eradication of H. pylori was done in patients who refused operation and histologic improvement after H. pylori eradication was found in 62.5% (5/8 cases).
CONCLUSIONS
The most common endoscopic findings of gastric MALT lymphoma was irregular geographic superficial ulcer but diffuse mucosal nodularity and erosions were also common. Therefore, biopsy must be taken, especially on the antrum and angle although nonspecific lesion may be suspected.