The growth of primary low-grade B-cell gastric lymphoma is sustained by Helicobacter pylori.

BACKGROUND

The growth of primary low-grade B-cell gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma is an antigen-dependent process

CASE

We were able to document the influence of Helicobacter pylori on the natural history of primary low-grade B-cell gastric MALT lymphoma in a case investigated by means of polymerase chain reaction for IgH rearrangement. In this case the presence or absence of the bacterium appeared to affect both clinical manifestations and histologic features of the neoplasia, with an acceleration or a slowing down of the neoplastic expansion, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

We identified H. pylori as an antigenic stimulus that supports the growth of MALT-type lymphoma. This finding enables us to make some considerations about the management of the disease.