[Clinicopathologic characteristics of low grade primary gastric non-Hodgkin's lymphomas: experience from a single center].

AIM: To report the clinicopathological data and the treatment outcomes in patients with primary gastric low grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. METHODS: We carried out a retrospective analysis of 16 consecutive patients (median age 46 and range 28-75 years) who presented to our department with histopathological diagnosis of primary gastric low grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. We analyzed clinical manifestations, endoscopic features, pathological features,Helicobacter pylori infection and treatment. RESULTS: Common symptoms included abdominal pain (87.5%),vomiting (62.5%), and gastrointestinal bleeding (25%). Endoscopic appearances were mainly ulcers and ulcerations (93.75%).Endoscopic biopsy confirmation rate reached 87.5% when biopsies were repeated. Helicobacter pylori detection rate was 75%. A total of 9 patients received surgeries. Three patients had chemotherapy and 8 patients had Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy. The range of follow-up was 2-74 months with a median of 27 months. A complete remission was obtained in 12 cases, whereas 1 patient died and 3 were lost of view. CONCLUSION: Eradication therapy may be offered as an initial treatment option in patients with low-grade gastric lymphoma.