[Low-grade B cell gastric lymphoma originated in mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue. Relationship of tumor cells with the marginal zone and monocytoid B lymphocytes. An immunohistochemical and ultrastructural study].

Seven cases of gastric B-cell low-grade lymphomas were characterized by morphology, immunohistology and electron microscopy. All them were immunophenotyped with a panel of monoclonal antibodies against immunoglobulins and other B-cell determinants. Histologic study of gastric B-cell low-grade lymphomas showed germinal centers of lobated shape and polyclonal nature, mainly polyclonal subepithelial plasma cell (except in one case) and neoplastic interfollicular B-cells of monoclonal character. Light-chain restriction supports the neoplastic nature of gastric lymphoma of low-grade malignancy, a distinctive tumour of extranodal B-cell origin. Interfollicular B-cells share with marginal zone cells a perifollicular localization, morphology and phenotype, suggesting a possible relation between these two cellular subtypes. In two cases, the tumour appears constituted by monocytoid B-lymphocytes (MBL), which suggests a relation of tumoral interfollicular B-cells with this subpopulation.