title: Our experience in Helicobacter pylori infection and gastric MALToma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  A number of recent studies have expanded our understanding of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection and of the pathogenesis of MALT lymphoma. The purpose of this paper is to perform a retrospective analysis of the clinical characteristics of gastric MALT lymphoma and its relationship with H. pylori infection in authors' experience.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report nineteen patients observed during 10 years, presenting with gastric MALTomas at any stage. The staging classification and the presence of H. pylori infection have been assessed, and the chosen therapy also.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The most part of our patients underwent surgery, still now resulting the most effective therapy. None of the patients had eradicating therapy due to their poor compliance and because the most part of cases were observed before the time of clinical validation of such treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In our series, surgery was effective for treatment of gastric MALT lymphomas. Surgery and chemotherapy remain, in accord with literature data, the best treatment for gastric MALTomas. Hence, because Hp may play a role in the development of such pathology in certain patients, antibiotic treatment for Hp eradication should not be discouraged in these patients, especially in them with low grade gastric MALT lymphomas. In fact, the failure of this therapy will not modify either survival or later recourse to surgical and/or radio- and chemotherapy.
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Odontostomatology and Surgery, Medical Faculty, University of Bari, Bari, Italy. t.losacco@doc.uniba.it
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Losacco
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cagiano
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bottalico
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Carlaio
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Prejbeanu
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Vermesan
authors.forename: S I
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Dragulescu
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Vermesan
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Motoc
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Santacroce
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D005743:Gastrectomy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000382:microbiology; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D018442:Lymphoma, B-Cell, Marginal Zone / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009852:Omentum / Q000601:surgery; D010349:Patient Compliance; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D014774:Virulence
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents