Unusual Treatment of a Gastric Marginal Zone B-Cell Lymphoma of MALT Type

Abstract

Patients with gastric marginal zone-B-cell lymphoma of MALT-type of stage I are usually treated by eradication therapy as Helicobacter pylori infection is evident in the majority (> 90%) of them. In case of a negative Helicobacter pylori status, if the lymphoma does not reveal regression after successful eradication of the bacterium, or in stage II, radiation is nowadays the treatment of choice. Gastrectomy is only reserved for special conditions such as endoscopically not treatable bleeding or patient's explicit request. All treatment modalities follow a curative intention. We here report on a patient with a Helicobacter pylori negative MALT lymphoma of stage I presenting as a localized polypoid lesion in the gastric fundus. Radiotherapy was indicated. However, the patient refused this standard therapy as well as surgical resection as a possible alternative. When signs of lymphoma progression became evident we performed an endoscopy-assisted laparoscopic resection of the fundus which resulted in a continuing lymphoma-free condition. Thus, local treatment modalities such as endoscopic mucosal resection or laparoscopic resection may represent a therapeutic option in case of a localized lymphoma finding in the individual patient who is not suitable for or who refuse standard therapeutic approaches.