Diffuse large B-cell primary gastric lymphoma treated successfully with the CD20 monoclonal antibody (rituximab): a case with severe liver dysfunction due to liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.

Primary gastric lymphoma is relatively rare in the scope of gastric malignancies. Here we report a case of diffuse large B-cell primary gastric lymphoma treated successfully with the CD20 monoclonal antibody, rituximab, alone. Because the patient had a complication of severe liver dysfunction due to hepatitis C virus induced-liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, it was difficult to treat the primary gastric lymphoma using standard therapy such as surgical resection and cocktail chemotherapy. Therefore, rituximab was administered to the patient, resulting in complete remission of the primary gastric lymphoma. This case indicates that monotherapy using only rituximab may be a promising option for the treatment of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma accompanied by severe liver dysfunction.