Low-grade gastric B-cell lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT): a multifocal disease.

Abstract

Gastrectomy specimens from five patients following gastroscopic biopsies which showed low-grade B-cell lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) were examined by serially sectioning and paraffin wax embedding using a 'swiss roll' technique. This procedure allowed the construction of a map of the specimen on which the distribution of the lymphoma could be plotted. In each case confluent lymphoma was identified. In addition small foci of lymphoma consisting of 1-4 lymphoid follicles surrounded by neoplastic centrocyte-like cells were seen. The positions of these 'micro-lymphomas' were plotted on the gastrectomy maps, showing multiple foci distributed throughout the gastric mucosa. The identification of these microscopic lesions may explain the development of local relapse, often after a long disease-free interval, in patients with gastric MALT lymphoma treated by partial gastrectomy where excision appears to have been complete. Patients treated in this way should, therefore, be followed-up indefinitely, with regular endoscopy and gastric biopsy, in order to identify early local disease relapse.

• Authors: A C Wotherspoon, C Doglioni, P G Isaacson
• Journal: Histopathology (Histopathology) Vol. 20 Issue 1 Pg. 29-34 (Jan 1992) ISSN: 0309-0167 [Print] England
• PMID: 1737623 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Female
• Gastric Mucosa (pathology)
• Humans
• Lymphoid Tissue (pathology)
• Lymphoma, B-Cell (pathology)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Stomach Neoplasms (pathology)