[MALT-lymphoma--surgical therapy]

To perform laparotomy in each histological sub-type of a primary gastric lymphoma with the intention of a total resection seems to be rather aggressive and should be seen with respect to other effective treatment modalities. But for curative treatment total gastrectomy with systematic lymphadenectomy or sampling respectively seem to be necessary. Classification is changing and there is an uncertainty about nature and dissemination of the tumor and even an uncertainty with respect to diagnosis. Basic informations become available only by standardized operative procedures. Multi-modal therapy planning is based on this knowledge but it has to hold up to clinical investigation such as the German multi-center trial. Preliminary data show an overall total resection rate of 88%.