Gastric lymphoma

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Gastric lymphoma
File:Gastric MALT lymphoma 2.jpg
Synonyms N/A
Pronounce N/A
Specialty N/A
Symptoms Abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, weight loss
Complications Gastrointestinal bleeding, perforation, obstruction
Onset Typically in adulthood
Duration Variable
Types MALT lymphoma, Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
Causes Helicobacter pylori infection, autoimmune disorders
Risks Chronic gastritis, immunosuppression
Diagnosis Endoscopy, biopsy, imaging studies
Differential diagnosis Gastric adenocarcinoma, peptic ulcer disease
Prevention N/A
Treatment Antibiotics for H. pylori, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery
Medication N/A
Prognosis Generally good with treatment, varies by type
Frequency Rare
Deaths N/A


Gastric lymphoma is a type of cancer that originates in the lymphatic system and primarily affects the stomach. It is a rare form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma and can be classified into different types based on the specific lymphoid tissue involved. The most common type of gastric lymphoma is MALT lymphoma, which stands for mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma.

Types of Gastric Lymphoma[edit]

Gastric lymphomas are generally categorized into two main types:

MALT Lymphoma[edit]

MALT lymphoma is the most prevalent form of gastric lymphoma. It arises from the mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue in the stomach. This type of lymphoma is often associated with chronic Helicobacter pylori infection, which can lead to the development of lymphoid tissue in the gastric mucosa.

Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma[edit]

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is another type of gastric lymphoma. It is more aggressive than MALT lymphoma and can arise de novo or from the transformation of a pre-existing MALT lymphoma.

Pathophysiology[edit]

Gastric lymphoma develops when lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell, undergo malignant transformation. In the case of MALT lymphoma, chronic antigenic stimulation, often due to Helicobacter pylori infection, leads to the proliferation of lymphoid tissue in the gastric mucosa. Over time, genetic mutations can occur, resulting in the development of lymphoma.

Clinical Presentation[edit]

Patients with gastric lymphoma may present with nonspecific symptoms such as:

Diagnosis[edit]

The diagnosis of gastric lymphoma typically involves:

Treatment[edit]

The treatment of gastric lymphoma depends on the type and stage of the disease:

MALT Lymphoma[edit]

Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma[edit]

Prognosis[edit]

The prognosis for gastric lymphoma varies depending on the type and stage of the disease. MALT lymphoma generally has a favorable prognosis, especially when associated with Helicobacter pylori and treated early. Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma has a more variable prognosis and often requires aggressive treatment.

See also[edit]