Gastric adenocarcinoma in a patient with X-linked agammaglobulinaemia

Patients with primary immunodeficiencies are at high risk for developing ha ematological malignancies and, to a lesser degree, carcinoma. We report a p atient with ascertained X-linked agammaglobulinaemia who developed a gastri c carcinoma involving the distal part of the stomach associated with chroni c atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia. These latter conditions are considered to be precursor conditions and the role of chronic infections i s likely. Patients with X-linked agammaglobulinaemia, as with other primary immunodeficiencies, could benefit from regular gastrointestinal evaluation , leading to early diagnosis and treatment of carcinoma. (C) 2000 Lippincot t Williams & Wilkins.