Malignant lymphoma of gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue in Jamaica

The recently appreciated concept of Mucosa-Associated Lymphoid Tissue (MALT ) and the characteristics of the lymphomas arising therein are discussed wi th reference to the clinical, histological and immunohistochemical features of the first four cases of gastric MALT lymphomas diagnosed at the Univers ity Hospital of the West Indies. These tumours are low-grade B-cell lymphom as, which may undergo high-grade transformation They are aetiologically ass ociated with Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) infection in the stomach and ma y be cured in the early stages with antibiotics. Our cases were diagnosed f rom om gastrectomy specimens removed for suspected carcinoma. All were high -grade, and associated with H pylori; 3 cases presented as advanced disease . Documentation of the features of these lymphomas will increase awareness and earlier recognition.