Gastric MALT lymphoma and grade II obesity: gastric bypass surgery as a therapeutic option

An Incidental Finding of Gastric Mucosa-Associated Lymphoma (MALToma) in a Sleeve Gastrectomy with Literature Review

Mucosal-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma can typically be identified as a mass lesion or nodularity endoscopically and macroscopically. We report an incidental finding of a Helicobacter pylori gastric mucosal-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma in a sleeve gastrectomy specimen with no gross examination findings.

The significance of histologic examination of gastrectomy specimens: a clinicopathologic study of 511 cases

BACKGROUND

Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) is quickly becoming the preferred procedure for bariatric surgery. According to the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery guidelines, routine preoperative upper gastrointestinal endoscopies are not recommended universally for bariatric surgery. Some studies have shown that the histologic examination of SG specimens is insignificant and not a cost-effective practice. However, some speculate SG examination may unveil pertinent findings and prevent further progression of precursor lesions.

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to explore the clinically significant or actionable lesions that can be revealed with SG examination.

SETTING

Tufts Medical Center, Boston, USA.

RESULTS

We analyzed 511 SG specimens obtained during bariatric surgery. Incidental findings were grouped in 2 categories: clinically significant/actionable and minor lesions. The clinically significant lesions accounted for 5.8%. This category included 5 cases of gastrointestinal stromal tumor; one case of MALT lymphoma; 4 cases of autoimmune gastritis with concomitant pancreatic metaplasia or neuroendocrine dysplasia. Intestinal metaplasia without dysplasia was identified in 3 cases; 14 cases of Helicobacter pylori associated active gastritis; 1 case of iron pill induced gastritis and 1 case of gastric glandular siderosis. The minor lesions accounted for 6.3%, showing findings other than chronic gastritis. This category included 19 cases of fundic polyps and 1 case of hyperplastic polyp; one case of leiomyoma; 11 cases of H pylori negative active gastritis.

CONCLUSIONS

The majority of histopathology results after SG showed no significant changes. However, a few cases had clinically significant lesions in seemingly healthy patients, altering patient's postoperative management.

Benign, premalignant, and malignant lesions encountered in bariatric surgery

BACKGROUND

Obesity is associated with several comorbidities like diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and obstructive sleep apnea. It is also well established that obese patients have an increased risk of several types of cancer like kidney, pancreas, endometrial, breast, and others. The bariatric surgeon needs to be aware of the problem of benign tumors and cancer in obese patients as well as the optimal management of these conditions that may be present at the time of evaluation for bariatric surgery, during the surgical procedure, and in the postoperative period.

DATABASE

A PubMed search for the words "cancer" and "bariatric surgery" and subsequent review of the abstracts identified 40 articles concerning cancerous, benign, and premalignant conditions in bariatric surgery patients. Data were then extracted from full-text articles.

CONCLUSION

Bariatric surgery decreases cancer risk especially in women. RYGB can be an effective treatment for Barrett's esophagus. Patients having esophageal cancer should not undergo bariatric surgery, while those who develop the same postoperatively are usually managed by a combined abdominal and thoracic approach (Ivor Lewis technique). Gastric cancer of the remnant stomach is usually managed by a remnant gastrectomy. A remnant gastrectomy during RYGB would be necessary in conditions that require endoscopic surveillance of the stomach like gastric polyps, intestinal metaplasia, and carcinoid tumors. Sleeve gastrectomy is an excellent option in a patient with GIST or a carcinoid who needs a bariatric operation. Preoperative endoscopy usually does not detect malignant conditions. Postoperative evaluation of the bypassed stomach is possible using various percutaneous and novel endoscopic techniques.