Primary gastric T cell lymphoma mimicking marginal zone B cell lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue

Primary gastric T cell lymphoma is rare and mostly of large cell type. In this paper, we present a case of gastric T cell lymphoma morphologically similar to the gastric marginal zone B cell lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT). Morphologically, the cells are small with abundant clear cytoplasm. Lymphoepithelial lesions are readily identified with diffuse destruction of gastric glands. Immunohistochemically, the neoplastic cells are CD3+/CD4+/CD8-/Granzyme B-. Molecular studies revealed monoclonal T cell receptor gamma gene rearrangement. Clinically, the patient responded initially to four cycles of R-CHOP, but then progressed. Because peripheral T cell lymphoma is usually associated with a poor prognosis, whereas marginal zone B cell lymphoma is an indolent lymphoproliferative disorder, this morphologic mimicry should be recognized and completely investigated when atypical small lymphoid infiltrates with lymphoepithelial lesions are encountered in the stomach.