PRIMARY GASTRIC LYMPHOMA - A 15-YEAR REVIEW

Background/Aims: Between 1976 and 1991, 25 patients underwent surgical therapy for primary gastric lymphoma. Clinical records were reviewed retrospectively to evaluate prognostic factors and impact of treatment on survival. Results: Diagnostic sensitivity of endoscopic biopsy was 68%, positively of barium contrast studies for tumor was 33%. The ove rall 5-year survival rate was 67.3% (51.7% ''free disease''): it was f or stage I E 88.9%, for stages II 1E and II 2E respectively 68.6% and 44.4% and for stage IV 33.4%, Patients with tumors smaller than 5 cm h ad a 5-year survival rate of 80.8% whereas for patients with larger le sions survival rate was 44% (p<0.05). Patients with low grade malignan cy tumors had a 5-year survival rate of 81.9% versus 37.5% for high gr ade malignancy tumors (p<0.03). Chemotherapy as adjuvant therapy was u sed in 17 cases (68%), 53% of them are ''free disease'' at minimum 4 y ears from the operation. Conclusions: We conclude that, surgical manag ement of primary gastric lymphoma is mandatory but a planned multimoda lity therapy may produce complete remission and longterm ''free diseas e'' survival rate even in patients with relapse.