[Primary stomach lymphoma. An assessment of the current status]

The gastrointestinal tract represents the most frequent extranodal manifestation of Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Primary gastrointestinal lymphoma which are classified according to the concept of MALT (mucosa-associated-lymphoid-tissue) have to be differentiated from lymphoma involving secondarily the digestive tract. Primary gastric lymphoma which appear at an advanced age can be usually diagnosed endoscopic-bioptically. Representing the major prognostic factors options in the therapy of gastric lymphoma are based on the histologic grading and the stage of disease. Surgical resection and radiotherapy allow a good local tumor control while chemotherapy is the treatment of choice in case of disseminated disease or high malignancy. Characterizing the morphology and molecular biology of primary gastric lymphoma of the MALT, evaluating the role of endoscopic ultrasound in the local staging (EI1, EI2 and EII1), and optimating the therapeutic modalities are main topics of an ongoing prospective multicenter trial.