Gastric adenocarcinoma in the context of X-linked agammaglobulinemia: case report and review of the literature

Abstract

The hallmarks of X-linked Agammaglobulinemia (XLA) are panhypogammaglobulinemia, absent B-cells, and recurrent sinopulmonary and gastrointestinal infections starting at an early age, as well as other infections like cellulitis, meningitis, arthritis and sepsis. A number of non-infectious complications have been reported in these patients, including autoimmune diseases and malignancy, especially lymphomas. Here, we report the case of a 30-year old man who developed gastric adenocarcinoma in the context of XLA. Previous reports of, and hypotheses addressing the development of cancer in patients with XLA, are also summarized. Solid cancer in XLA affects mainly the gastrointestinal tract and seems to be related to chronic infection. A natural evolution can be traced back from gastric adenocarcinoma to megaloblastic anemia due to achlorhydria in the context of chronic infection; periodic endoscopy thus seems justified to detect and treat carcinoma in early stages.