[Primary non-Hodgkin lymphoma of the stomach--internal medicine aspects]

Primary gastric malignant non Hodgkin lymphomas occupy a special position, which is documented in the new histologic classification according to the MALT-concept. Our knowledge about the pathogenesis of this entity, its clinical and biologic behaviour and its morphologic and molecular biologic characteristics is increasing. Endosonography might be of outstanding value for the differentiation between the stages EI1, EI2 and EII1. The adequate treatment of these lymphomas is still under debate. Prospective multicenter studies were not performed. Our multicenter study has a stage adapted treatment schedule. We hope to answer some of the open questions.