Benign gastric lymphomatosis (gastric pseudolymphoma)

Abstract

The present paper reports on two cases of gastric lymphomatosis whose diagnosis could only be established by histologic examination of the operative specimen. Benign gastric lymphomatosis (BGL) is characterized by lymphoid infiltration of the gastric wall, predominant in the mucosa and sometimes in the submucosa, running a slow benign course. It must be differentiated from malignant gastric lymphomas and from inflammatory lymphoid reactions surrounding ulcers. BGL have not been treated medically to date. One of the patients initially underwent an eight months treatment with prednisone, then with prednisone and cytostatics, which resulted in clinical improvement but did not modify the pathohistologic picture. As BGL represents a precancerous state and cannot be controlled at present by any medical treatment, the surgical intervention is considered opportune.