Prognostic value of serum beta 2 microglobulin in primary gastric lymphoma

Sixty‐eight previously untreated patients with primary gastric non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) available for analysis, were entered in a study in which the prognostic significance of serum beta 2 microglobulin levels were evaluated. The serum beta 2 microglobulin was the most significant prognostic factor. Patients with high levels (> 3.5 μg/mL) had a relapse‐free survival (RFS) of 36 months, while the median RFS has not been reached in patients with normal levels (p 0.001). Serum beta 2 microglobulin should be included in the initial staging of patients with primary extranodal NHL and patients with high levels should be treated more aggressively.