Chromosomal aberrations in lymphomas of the gastrointestinal tract

B-cell lymphomas of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract have represented a fiel d of extensive research ever since a close association was shown with chron ic inflammatory processes such as Helibacter pylori infection. Much evidenc e has accumulated to suggest that the mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MA LT) induced by inflammation and autoimmune processes is the environment whi ch gives rise to the small cell lymphomas of the GI tract (e.g. extranodal marginal B-cell lymphoma according to REAL). The small B-cell lymphoma may then progress to the large cell variants. Hence, B-cell lymphomas of the GI tract may present a model for lymphomagenesis and progression. In this rev iew, recent cytogenetic data are discussed which yield new insights into th e biology of gastrointestinal lymphomas.