Treatment Outcome for Gastric Mucosa-Associated Lymphoid Tissue Lymphoma according to Helicobacter pylori Infection Status: A Single- Center Experience

Background/Aims: Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy has been used as a first-line treatment for H. pylori -positivegastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma. However, the management strategy for H. pylori -negative MALT lymphoma remains controversial. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the success rate of each treatmentoption for H. pylori -positive and H. pylori -negativegastric MALT lymphomas. Methods: In total, 57 patients with gastric MALT lymphoma diagnosed between December2000 and June 2012 were enrolled in the study. The treatmentresponses were compared between H. pylori -positive and H. pylori -negative gastric MALT lymphomas. Results: Of the 57 patients, 43 (75%) had H. pylori infection. Forty-eightpatients received H. pylori eradication as a first-line treatment, and complete remission was achieved in 31 of the 39patients (80%) with H. pylori -positive MALT lymphoma and infive (56%) of the nine patients with H. pylori -negative MALT lymphoma; no significant difference was observed between the groups (p=0.135). The other treatment modalities, including radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and surgery, were effective irrespective of H. pylori infection status, with no significant difference in the treatment response between H. pylori -positive and H. pylori -negative MALT lymphomas. Conclusions: H. pylori eradication therapy may be considered as a first-line treatment regardless of H. pylori infection status