[Drug-induced gastrointestinal bleeding]. / Medikamenteninduzierte gastrointestinale Blutung.

Gastrointestinal bleeding is a common and sometimes life-threatening event in older people. There is often a drug-induced cause. Drugs that can lead to gastrointestinal bleeding include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like diclofenac and ibuprofen, platelet inhibitors such as acetylsalicylic acid (ASS), clopidogrel and prasugrel, as well as anticoagulants like vitamin-K antagonists, heparin or direct oral anticoagulants (DOAKs). Combination antiplatelet therapy or combined medication with platelet inhibitor and anticoagulants increase the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding compared to monotherapy. Primary and secondary prevention options include Helicobacter pylori eradication and co-medication with a proton pump inhibitor (PPI).

[S2k-guideline Helicobacter pylori and gastroduodenal ulcer disease]. / S2k-Leitlinie Helicobacter pylori und gastroduodenale Ulkuskrankheit.

In the line "bismuth-containing quadruple therapy" of Table 7 (p 342), in the column "dosage" incorrectly at the three antibiotics respectively 1-1-1-1. The correct is: 3-3-3-3.

[Plasma cell myeloma in the stomach?]. / Plasmazellmyelom im Magen?

The detection of a diffuse infiltrate of heterogeneous small B-cells in the lamina propria mucosae invading the epithelium and destroying the glandular tissue by discrete aggregates of three or more marginal zone B-cells above the basal membrane (so-called lymphoepithelial lesions) is suspicious of a mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma of the stomach. The demonstration of a monoclonal B-cell population by immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization or PCR excludes a benign lymphatic lesion. In the differential diagnosis with other small B-cell lymphomas in the stomach, a panel of five different immunohistochemical markers is useful to diagnose a small lymphocytic lymphoma (CD5 and CD23 positive), a mantle cell lymphoma (CD5 and cyclin D1 positive) or a follicular lymphoma (BCL2 and CD10 positive). The presence of the translocation t(11;18)(q21;q21) or the API2/MALT1 rearrangement could give further information about the clinical course and the prognosis of a gastric MALT lymphoma.

Patients with Helicobacter pylori negative gastric marginal zone b-cell lymphoma (MZBCL) of MALT have a good prognosis.

BACKGROUND: In current guidelines H. pylori eradication is recommended as first-line therapy in patients with gastric MALT lymphoma irrespective of stage and H. pylori status. However, data on treatment and clinical course of patients with H. pylori negative MALT lymphoma are rare. AIM: To evaluate therapeutical results in patients with H. pylori negative gastric MALT lymphoma. METHODS: 21 patients (13 male and 8 female; 63.9 years, range 43 - 80) with gastric MALT lymphoma were analysed retrospectively on the basis of medical reports in all cases and repeated outpatient visits at our center in 17 cases. H. pylori infection was excluded by negative histology, rapid urease test, or C13 urease breath test, and serology in all cases. Follow-up was 56.4 (5 - 142) months. RESULTS: Ten of 21 patients were treated with H. pylori eradication, and four of them received no further therapy. The other six patients underwent surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, after eradication therapy. Those eleven patients without H. pylori eradication received radiation (n = 3), chemotherapy (n = 1), PPIs (n = 2), no treatment (n = 4) as first-line and radiation (n = 2) as second-line therapy while initial therapy remained unknown in one case. 13 patients (61.9 %) reached complete remission of lymphoma, and seven patients (33.3 %) showed minimal histological residuals. Overall and disease-free survival was found in 95 % and 90 %, respectively. CONCLUSION: Patients with H. pylori negative gastric MALT lymphoma have a good prognosis. We favor initial H. pylori eradication therapy and a watch-and-wait strategy in case of minimal histological residuals of MALT lymphoma. Non-responders to eradication therapy can be successfully treated by radiation and chemotherapy.

Is there a role for capsule endoscopy in the staging work-up of patients with gastric marginal zone B-cell lymphoma of MALT?

INTRODUCTION: In earlier studies, involvement of the small intestine was reported in patients with gastrointestinal lymphoma. Prospective data on the involvement of the small intestine in patients suffering from gastric extranodal MZBCL of MALT do not exist so far. In this study, we investigated the frequency of the involvement of the small intestine and the role of capsule endoscopy in patients with gastrointestinal extranodal MZBCL of MALT and of follicular lymphoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 40 consecutive patients with gastrointestinal extranodal MZBCL of MALT (26 men, 14 women, aged 27 - 80 years), and 7 patients with known follicular lymphoma of the small intestine (5 men, 2 women, aged 34 - 63 years) underwent capsule endoscopy. RESULTS: Involvement of the small intestine was identified by capsule endoscopy in all 7 patients with known follicular lymphoma of the small intestine. In 6 of 40 patients with gastric extranodal MZBCL of MALT abnormal findings could be observed, three of these findings indicative for lymphoma involvement of the small intestine. However, in each of these 3 cases, intestinal involvement had been already diagnosed by conventional GI endoscopy before capsule endoscopy. CONCLUSIONS: Capsule endoscopy is able to detect involvement of the small intestine in patients with gastrointestinal lymphoma. However, involvement of the small intestine seems to be rare in patients with gastric extranodal MZBCL of MALT. In summary, routine diagnostic work-up of the small intestine, e. g. by capsule endoscopy seems unnecessary because of the rare involvement of the small intestine and an excellent long-term outcome irrespective of a possible intestinal manifestation.

Cationic liposomal paclitaxel plus gemcitabine or gemcitabine alone in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer: a randomized controlled phase II trial.

BACKGROUND: Paclitaxel embedded in cationic liposomes (EndoTAG™-1; ET) is an innovative agent targeting tumor endothelial cells. This randomized controlled phase II trial evaluated the safety and efficacy of ET in combination with gemcitabine (GEM) in advanced pancreatic cancer (PDAC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Chemotherapy-naive patients with locally advanced or metastatic disease were randomly assigned to receive weekly GEM 1000 mg/m(2) or GEM plus twice-weekly ET 11, 22 or 44 mg/m(2) for 7 weeks. After a safety run-in of 100 patients, a second cohort continued treatment. End points included overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), tumor response and safety. RESULTS: Two hundred and twelve patients were randomly allocated to the study and 200 were treated (80% metastatic, 20% locally advanced). Adverse events were manageable and reversible. Transient thrombocytopenia and infusion reactions with chills and pyrexia mostly grade 1 or 2 occurred in the ET groups. Disease control rate after the first treatment cycle was 43% with GEM and 60%, 65% and 52% in the GEM + ET cohorts. Median PFS reached 2.7 compared with 4.1, 4.6 and 4.4 months, respectively. Median OS was 6.8 compared with 8.1, 8.7 and 9.3 months, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of advanced PDAC with GEM + ET was generally well tolerated. GEM + ET showed beneficial survival and efficacy. A randomized phase III trial should confirm this positive trend.

EGILS consensus report. Gastric extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma of MALT.

This consensus report of the EGILS (European Gastro-Intestinal Lymphoma Study) group includes recommendations on the management of gastric extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma of MALT. They are based on data from the literature and on intensive discussions and votings of the experts during their annual meetings.

Outcome and quality of life favour a conservative treatment of patients with primary gastric lymphoma.

BACKGROUND: Both surgical and conservative treatment strategies offer an excellent outcome to patients with gastric lymphoma. No comparison of surgical resection with primary radiation or chemotherapy on a prospective randomised basis was available up to now. AIMS: The aim of this study was to compare surgery with radiation and surgery plus chemotherapy with chemotherapy alone in patients with marginal zone B-cell lymphoma (MZBCL) of MALT and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), respectively, with respect to long-term outcome and quality of life. METHODS: 49 patients [21 male and 28 female; age 65 (35 - 75) years] with newly diagnosed MZBCL of MALT (n = 19) and DLBCL (n = 30) of stage I and II were recruited. Outcome was evaluated after a follow-up of 74 (7 - 102) months and quality of life was measured using the SF-36 health survey and the gastrointestinal life quality index (GLQI). RESULTS: Complete remission rates in MZBCL of MALT were 88 % and 89 % in patients treated by surgery or radiotherapy, respectively. The corresponding rates for patients with DLBCL were 93 % following surgery plus chemotherapy and 92 % after chemotherapy alone, respectively. The results in the different treatment groups did not differ significantly. Posttherapeutic quality of life was generally high with a significant advantage for patients treated conservatively compared to those who underwent surgery. CONCLUSION: Long-term outcome of patients with gastric lymphoma is excellent irrespective of the lymphoma type and the treatment approach. Considering quality of life a conservative therapeutic strategy should be favoured.

[Endoscopic-bioptic diagnostics, surveillance of and therapy for gastrointestinal diseases according to guidelines]. / Leitlinienorientierte endoskopisch-bioptische Diagnostik, Uberwachung und Therapie von Magen-Darm-Erkrankungen.

The present review summarises the detailed recommendations for an optimal endoscopic-bioptic diagnostic procedure, endoscopic surveillance of and therapy for gastrointestinal diseases. The recommendations are mainly based on the S 3-guidelines and have been developed by histopathologists and gastroenterologists in interdisciplinary work. The material has been arranged according to topographic regions of the gastrointestinal tract and clinical problems. The focus is placed on diagnostic and surveillance of Barrett's oesophagus, therapy and postoperative treatment for early gastrointestinal carcinoma, management of colon polyps and endoscopic surveillance of inflammatory bowel disease. Treatment recommendations for both ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease as well as low-grade and high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia and polypoid neoplasia are currently being intensively discussed. Thus we examine this controversial discussion in detail. Furthermore, the recent guidelines for Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) and gastric MALT-lymphoma diagnostics are included in this survey. To allow the gastroenterologist a time-sparing overview during practical work, most of the recommendations are presented in itemised form and summarised in tables and figures at the end of the discussion.

[Severe hepatitis and subacute liver failure with "fast track" cirrhosis in an elderly lady]. / Schwere Hepatopathie und subakutes Leberversagen mit "Fast-track"-Leberzirrhose bei älterer Patientin.

We report the case of a 74-year-old lady who presented at our clinic with icterus and cholestatic hepatitis. For atrial fibrillation she had been prescribed a medication with phenprocoumone. After ruling out viral, autoimmune, and metabolic causes of hepatitis, we performed a liver biopsy which led to the diagnosis of phenprocoumone-related liver damage. The patient was discharged without phenprocoumone and completely compensated liver function. Five weeks later she returned to the hospital with encephalopathy, ascites, coagulopathy, varices, and signs of cirrhosis in abdominal ultrasound. In spite of treatment with steroids, the patient died of subacute liver failure several weeks later. This case illustrates the occasionally poor course of toxic hepatitis even after discontinuation of the responsible medication, potential treatment options are discussed.

[Gastric MALT-type lymphoma. Pathology, pathogenesis, diagnostics and therapy]. / Magenlymphome vom MALT-Typ. Pathologie, Pathogenese, Diagnostik und Therapie.

Helicobacter pylori infection plays a central role in the development of gastric MALT-type (mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue) lymphoma. Infection results in chronic H. pylori gastritis and stimulates together with antigens or autoantigens proliferation of B-lymphocytes which is the basis for the neoplastic transformation. Histology of MALT-type lymphoma is architecturally similar to the physiological MALT. Invasion and destruction of the gastric epithelium with development of so-called lympho-epithelial lesions is the most important diagnostic criterion. Cytologically MALT-lymphoma resembles centrocytes and monocytes. For definitive lymphoma diagnosis and for the differential diagnosis from other small cell lymphomas in the stomach immunohistochemistry can be helpful. The phenotype of MALT-type lymphoma is identical to non-neoplastic B-lymphocytes of the marginal zone (CD20+, CD5-, CD10- and CD23-). Individual therapy is strongly dependent from histological type and lymphoma stadium. Therapy modalities are H. pylori eradication, radiochemotherapy, surgery or a combination of these. Aim of the therapy is the complete lymphoma regression and cure of the disease.

S3-guideline "helicobacter pylori and gastroduodenal ulcer disease" of the German society for digestive and metabolic diseases (DGVS) in cooperation with the German society for hygiene and microbiology, society for pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition e. V., German society for rheumatology, AWMF-registration-no. 021 / 001.

This guideline updates a prior consensus recommendation of the German Society for Digestive and Metabolic Diseases (DGVS) from 1996. It was developed by an interdisciplinary cooperation with representatives of the German Society for Hygiene and Microbiology, the Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition (GPGE), and the German Society for Rheumatology. The guideline is methodologically based on recommendations of the Association of the Scientific Medical Societies in Germany (AWMF) for providing a systematic evidence-based S 3 level consensus guideline and has also implemented grading criteria according to the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation) process. Clinical applicability of study results as well as specifics for Germany in terms of epidemiology, antibiotic resistance status, diagnostics, and therapy were taken into account.

[Helicobacter pylori]. / Helicobacter pylori.

Helicobacter pylori is associated with various gastroduodenal diseases such as peptic ulcer, functional dyspepsia, MALT lymphoma and distal gastric cancer. Diagnosis of H. pylori can be established by non-invasive ((13C)urea breath test, stool antigen test, serology) and invasive (histology, rapid urease test, culture) tests. In adults, culture and susceptibility testing should or must be performed after failing of first-line therapy in case of a control endoscopy and before third-line therapy, respectively. Peptic ulcer and gastric MALT lymphoma represent obligatory indications for eradication therapy. Other potential indications are functional dyspepsia, prevention of gastric cancer in individuals being at risk, and before starting treatment with traditional non-steroid antiphlogistics. First-line therapy is performed with a 7-days combination of proton pump inhibitor with clarithromycin and amoxicillin or metronidazole. In second-line therapy levofloxacin and rifabutin are good rescue antibiotics.

Most patients with minimal histological residuals of gastric MALT lymphoma after successful eradication of Helicobacter pylori can be managed safely by a watch and wait strategy: experience from a large international series.

BACKGROUND: Eradication of Helicobacter pylori is the established initial treatment of stage I MALT (mucosa associated lymphoid tissue) lymphoma. Patients with minimal persisting lymphoma infiltrates after successful eradication of H pylori are considered treatment failures and referred for radiation, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or surgery. AIM: To report a watch and wait strategy in such patients. METHODS: 108 patients were selected from a larger series of patients treated at various European institutions. Their mean age was 51.6 years (25 to 82), and they were all diagnosed as having gastric marginal zone B cell lymphoma of MALT type stage I. After successful H pylori eradication and normalisation of the endoscopic findings, lymphoma infiltrates were still present histologically at 12 months (minimal histological residuals). No oncological treatment was given but the patients had regular follow up with endoscopies and multiple biopsies. FINDINGS: Based on a follow up of 42.2 months (2-144), 102 patients (94%) had a favourable disease course. Of these, 35 (32%) went into complete remission. In 67 (62%) the minimal histological residuals remained stable and no changes became evident. Local lymphoma progression was seen in four patients (5%), and one patient developed a high grade lymphoma. CONCLUSIONS: Most patients with minimal histological residuals of gastric MALT lymphoma after successful eradication of H pylori had a favourable disease course without oncological treatment. A watch and wait strategy with regular endoscopies and biopsies appears to be safe and may become the approach of choice in this situation. Longer follow up is needed to establish this definitively.