Evaluation of non-surgical therapy for the malignant lymphomas located mainly in stomach and duodenum

We evaluated the effects of the conservative treatment to 29 patients with non-Hodgkin lymphomas located mainly in stomach and duodenum. We could induce complete remission in all the cases of stage I, II, and III including MALT lymphomas by the combination therapy of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication, chemotherapy, and radiation, and the complete remission persisted in all except for the three cases who died of other causes. Even in stage IV lymphomas mainly located in stomach and duodenum, we could induce complete remission in 50% of them. Considering the quality of life of patients with lymphomas located mainly in stomach and duodenum, the conservative treatment may be of benefit more than the surgical approach. (author)