Focal lymphoid hyperplasia of the stomach preceding gastric lymphoma: case report and review of the literature.

A case is reported in which focal lymphoid hyperplasia (pseudolymphoma) of the stomach preceded by 45 months the development of gastric diffuse lymphocytic lymphoma. Review of the literature discloses only two similar cases reported with satisfactory histopathologic documentation. Analogous cases, in other anatomic sites, of an apparent association between benign and malignant lymphoid lesions are reviewed. The cases suggest that occasionally lymphoid hyperplasia of the stomach may precede lymphoma. Lymphoid hyperplasia is not yet considered a consistent precursor of lymphoma.