Helicobacter pylori strikes again: gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma.Gastroenterol Nurs. 2007 Sep-Oct;30(5):348-54; quiz 355-6.

Infection with Helicobacter pylori is common. Over 50% of the world's population is estimated to be colonized with the bacteria. The association between Helicobacter pylori and gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma is well documented. Anti-Helicobacter pylori treatment and the successful eradication of the bacteria can potentially cure patients who test positive for the bacteria and who are diagnosed with low-grade gastric MALT lymphoma. The purpose of this article is to review the evidence implicating Helicobacter pylori as a causal pathogen for the development of gastric MALT lymphoma and to determine that anti-Helicobacter pylori therapy is an effective first-line treatment. The clinical presentation, endoscopic findings, diagnosis, staging, treatment, and follow-up of patients with gastric MALT lymphoma who are treated with anti-Helicobacter pylori therapy are also discussed.

Primary MALT lymphomas of the stomach: a pathological study of 18 cases.Rev Esp Enferm Dig. 2007 May;99(5):270-4.

AIM: It is doubtful that whoever is suffering from gastric malt lymphoma will escape from the disease, if treated with medication against helicobacter pylori. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cohort of 18 patients was analysed. Ten hosts had primary gastric malt lymphoma and were treated with gastric resection as the initial therapy. Eight hosts received antibiotics against Helicobacter pylori as the initial treatment. In all 18 patients Helicobacter pylori status, endoscopic findings and pathology features were evaluated. Immunohistochemistry was performed to assess the bcl-2 and p53 status. RESULTS: Patients with low grade malt lymphoma: a) were Helicobacter pylori positive (5 of 5); b) had a superficial lesion (5 of 5); c) had no lymph node involvement (5 of 5); and d) were downstaged by comparison to patients with high grade tumor. Bcl-2 was positive in 4 of 5 low grade tumors, and p53 was positive in 12 of 13 high grade ones. Investigation of patients with 5-year follow up (n = 18) revealed that all but one low-grade tumors remained superficial with no progression. These tumors were bcl-2+/p53-, and the one with a bcl-2+/p53+ immunophenotype progressed to an ulcerated low-grade tumor after disappearance of Helicobacter pylori. Complete regression was found in 6 of 8 patients from the non surgically treated group (n = 8) after Helicobacter pylori eradication. These tumors were superficial/low grade/node negative/bcl-2+/p53 inconclusive (n = 2), superficial/low grade/node negative/bcl-2+/p53- (n = 2), and ulcerative/high grade/node negative/bcl-2+/p53- (n = 2). The two persistent tumors were ulcerative/high grade/node negative/bcl-2+/p53+. CONCLUSION: Gastric malt lymphoma Helicobacter pylori+/superficial/low grade/bcl-2+/p53- will disappear after Helicobacter pylori eradication.

Prognostic factors in primary gastric lymphoma.Ann Surg Oncol. 2007 Aug;14(8):2239-45. Epub 2007 Jun 2.

BACKGROUND: There is not a gold standard in the treatment of primary gastric lymphoma (PGL). This study aimed to establish prognostic factors that should be considered for the staging and management of this disease. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed and analyzed the clinicopathological features of patients treated for PGL in a tertiary referral center in Mexico City in a 10-year period from 1990 through 2000. Staging was performed with the Ann-Arbor system. Overall and disease-free survivals were the primary endpoints. RESULTS: We identified 41 patients of which 19 (46.3%) were classified as large-cell lymphoma, 16 (39.0%) as low-grade MALT, and 6 (14.6%) patients as lymphoma unspecified. The series included 15 (36.6%) patients with stage IV disease. Twenty patients (48.8%) underwent surgery and 34 (82.1%) received chemotherapy. Twenty-three patients were treated with at least two different types of therapy (56.1%). Actuarial 1 and 5 years survival were 77.8 and 71.2%, respectively. Early stage at presentation, surgery, normal lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) levels and good performance status were associated with longer survival in univariate analysis. Only normal LDH and good performance status retained their significance in multivariate analysis. Regarding disease-free survival in multivariate analysis, only normal LDH was associated with a better prognosis: 131 versus 12 months for LDH <197 and >or=197 mg/dl, respectively (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Optimal treatment of PGL remains controversial. High LDH levels and poor performance status at diagnosis are associated with shorter overall and disease-free survival and should be considered for the staging and management of these patients.