Frequent and rapid progression of atrophy and intestinal metaplasia in gastric mucosa of patients with MALT lymphoma.

Objectives: Association of gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) low-grade lymphoma and adenocarcinoma has repeatedly been reported. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency and the spreading of atrophy and intestinal metaplasia in gastric mucosa of patients with gastric MALT lymphoma followed after conservative treatment.

Methods: Forty-five patients (mean age 45 +/- 2.