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Gastric MALT-lymphoma and Helicobacter pylori infection
E Bayerdörffer1, S Miehlke, A Neubauer
1Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Diseases, University of Magdeburg, Germany.
Abstract:
The presence of lymphoid tissue in the gastric mucosa is virtually pathognomonic of Helicobacter pylori infection. This lymphoid tissue has mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) characteristics suggesting that H. pylori infection may represent a stimulus for the growth of gastric MALT lymphoma. H. pylori can be detected in more than 90% of patients with low-grade gastric MALT lymphoma supporting the aetiological role of the organism. The strongest evidence for the significance of H. pylori in the pathogenesis of low aetological-grade gastric MALT lymphoma is provided by clinical studies showing that cure of H. pylori infection is followed by a complete regression of these tumours in most patients. This paper reviews the current knowledge about antibacterial treatment of low-grade gastric MALT lymphoma, and immunological and molecular aspects in the pathogenesis of the disease.