Endoscopic Diagnosis of Primary Gastric Lymyhoma

Kang, Jin Kyung; Park, In Suh; Chung, Jae Bock; Moon, Young Myoung; Song, Si Young; Park, Chan Il; Lee, Myung Rae; Yang, Woo Ick; Lee, Se Joon

Abstract

Primary gastric lymphorna represents one to 7% of all gastric cancer and is the most common type of extranodal lymphoma. In attempt to evaluate the endoscopic characteristics, we analysed clinical and endoscopic findings in 35 patients with primary gastric lymphoma between January 1980 and August 1994 at the Yonsei Medical Center. The results were as follows: 1) The mean age of patients was 47.1 years with male to female ratio of 1.5: l. 2) Gastroscopy was performed in all 35 patienits, which revealed polypoid lesion in one case(2.9%), ulcerative lesion in 15 cases(42.9%), ulcero-infiltrative lesion in 6 cases(17.1%) and diffuse infiltrative lesion in 2 cases(5.7%). Gastric lymphoma was suggested in 6 cases, advanced gastric cancer in 21 cases, early gastric cancer in 5 cases and benign gastric ulcer in 3 cases. Pathologic diagnosis of biopsy specimens were gastric lymphoma in 24 cases, adenocarcinoma in 5 cases and chronic superficial gastritis in one case. 3) The characteristics of the endoscopic findings in gastric lymphoma were intractable or recurrent ulcer in 10 cases, thickened and mounded ulcer margin in 9 cases, multiple ulcers in 9 cases, giant rugae in 7 cases and polypoid or depressed lesion with central ulceration in 4 cases. In conclusion, recognition of specific endoscopic findings such as intractable or recurrent ulcer, volcano-like ulcer, multiple ulcers, giant rugae and combined lesion, the possibility of a lymphoma should be considered and vigorous biopsy attempts should be carried out. Then if the first microscopic report does not suggest this diagnosis, a second investigation including jumbo biopsies, perhaps by diathermy, should be undertaken.