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Aim: to investigate whether flow cytometry could help to define the optimal therapeutic strategy of primary gastric lymphomas. Material and method: retrospective study of 46 patients having primary gastric lymphoma -according to Dawson criteria- in Ann Arbor stage I E and II E, who were surgically treated. From selected paraffin-embedded tissue blocks of the tumor, DNA content was studied by flow cytometry (FC). Other pathological tumor features were analysed by hematoxiline-eosine and Giemsa stains as well as immunohistochemical study; any possible influence on postoperative survival was investigated through statistical analysis. Results: the DNA ploidy pattern was diploid in 40 cases (87%) and aneuploid (hyperdiploid) in 6 (13%). Postoperative survival probability (PSP) was 62.7% at 5 years. Statistical analysis showed significant prognostic value for Ann Arbor classification -with higher PSP for stage I E (p = 0.009)- and FC parameters: diploid tumors had higher PSP than aneuploid tumors. Also tumors having S-phase (p = 0.044) or G2-M phase values (p = 0.023) under the respective mean values had higher PSP. No influence on PSP was found for wall invasion, Helicobacter pylori infection, Isaacson's histologic type or resection margin involvement. No significant relationship was appreciated between Isaacson's histologic type and DNA ploidy patterns. Conclusion: FC could be useful in assessing gastric lymphoma prognosis.

Objective: to analyze the results of our series in order to assess whether surgical excision is still a valid therapeutic option in case the patient needs surgery. Secondarily, to analyze Helicobacter pylori infection rate. Patients and method: a retrospective study of 69 consecutive patients having stage IE-IIE primary gastric lymphoma; of these, 65 were treated by gastrectomy between 1974 and 1999. Mean age: 62.6 years (28-85). New staining of paraffin-embedded samples from the surgical specimen were carried out (hematoxiline-eosine, Giemsa, immunohistochemistry) and reviewed. The histological classification was performed according to Isaacson's criteria. The statistical analysis was done by Chi-squared and Fisher's exact tests, as well as Kaplan-Meier and Log-Rank tests. Results: mortality was 9.2%. There were non-fatal complications in 10.8%. Helicobacter pylori was identified in 62.7%. Seven patients (11.9%) suffered a relapse. The 5-year survival probability was 87%. The statistical analysis did not show any influences of Ann Arbor stage, gastric wall invasion, Helicobacter pylori infection, histological type, or margin resection involvement on survival. Conclusions: surgical excision provides a high rate of complete remissions and excellent long-term survival with acceptable mortality. Therefore it appears to be a valid treatment in case of emergency surgery, incidental finding, or lack of histological diagnosis. Objetivo: analizar los resultados de nuestra serie a fin de establecer si la extirpación quirúrgica continúa siendo una opción terapéutica válida para las situaciones en las que pudiera precisarse cirugía. Como objetivo secundario, analizar la prevalencia de infección por Helicobacter pylori. Pacientes y método: estudio retrospectivo de 69 pacientes consecutivos diagnosticados de linfoma gástrico primario, en estadio I E y II E de Ann Arbor, 65 de los cuales fueron tratados mediante gastrectomía entre 1974 y 1999. Edad media: 62,6 años (28-85). En 60 casos se revisó la histología de la pieza de resección con nuevas tinciones (hematoxilina-eosina, Giemsa), y estudio inmunohistoquímico de los bloques de parafina. La clasificación histológica se realizó de acuerdo con la clasificación de Isaacson. El análisis estadístico se realizó mediante las pruebas de Chi cuadrado y prueba exacta de Fisher y Kaplan-Meier y Log-Rank para el análisis de supervivencia. Resultados: la mortalidad fue de 9,2%. Se produjeron complicaciones no mortales en 10,8%. Se identificó Helicobacter pylori en 62,7%. Se produjo recaída en 7 pacientes (11,9%). La probabilidad de supervivencia fue de 87% a 5 años. El análisis estadístico no demostró influencia del estadio de Ann Arbor, invasión en la pared gástrica, infección por Helicobacter pylori, tipo histológico, ni afectación de bordes sobre la supervivencia. Conclusiones: la extirpación quirúrgica posibilita un alto grado de remisión completa y una excelente supervivencia a largo plazo, con mortalidad aceptable, por lo que es un tratamiento válido en caso de ausencia de diagnóstico histológico, hallazgo incidental o urgencia.