Does enhanced recovery improve the survival rates of patients 3 years after undergoing surgery to remove a tumor in the colon?

PURPOSE: The advantages of enhanced recovery programs (ERP) after colorectal surgery for morbidity and length of stay are well known. On a longer term, evidence is much more limited. The aim of this study is to determine the impact of ERP on survival after 3 years of follow-up, following colorectal cancer surgery. METHODS: All the patients undergoing resection for colorectal cancer between the years 2010 and 2014 were included. Patients were classified according to their compliance with the ERP (< 70 or ≥ 70%). RESULTS: Among the 206 patients included during the period, 129 were male (62.6%). The 3-year overall survival rate was 70.4% (145 patients) and relapse-free survival was 59.2% (122 patients). The survival after 3 years was influenced by the initial metastatic status (p < 0.0001), operative morbidity (p < 0.001), and the presence of peritumoral emboli (p = 0.006). However, the compliance with the ERP ≥ 70% did not influence overall survival (p = 0.63), nor relapse-free survival (p = 0.93). The same observations were found among the "at-risk" population (synchronous metastasis and postoperative complication). CONCLUSION: The ERP does not seem to influence the 3-year relapse-free survival after colorectal resection for cancer.

The combination of everolimus and zoledronic acid increase the efficacy of gemcitabine in a mouse model of pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Gemcitabine is a standard treatment for pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Many mechanisms are involved in gemcitabine resistance, such as reduced expression of the human equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1 (hENT1) membrane transporter, deoxycytidine kinase deficiency, and changes in the signal transmission of mitogen-activity protein kinase (MAPK) and the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) pathways. AIM: To evaluate the anti-tumor efficiency of blocking signaling pathways using combined action of gemcitabine, everolimus and zoledronic acid versus gemcitabine alone in a mouse subcutaneous xenograft. METHODS: Implantations of two human pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells lines (PANC1, K-ras mutated and gemcitabine-resistant; and BxPc3, wild-type K-ras and gemcitabine-sensitive) were performed on male athymic nude mice. The mice received different treatments: gemcitabine, gemcitabine plus everolimus, everolimus, gemcitabine plus zoledronic acid, everolimus plus zoledronic acid, or gemcitabine plus everolimus and zoledronic acid, for 28 days. We measured the tumor volume and researched the expression of the biomarkers involved in the signaling pathways or in gemcitabine resistance. RESULTS: In wild-type K-ras tumors, the combinations of gemcitabine plus everolimus; zoledronic acid plus everolimus; and gemcitabine plus zoledronic acid and everolimus slowed tumor growth, probably due to caspase-3 overexpression and reduced Annexin II expression. In mutated K-ras tumors, gemcitabine plus everolimus and zoledronic acid, and the combination of zoledronic acid and everolimus, decreased tumor volume as compared to gemcitabine alone, inhibiting the ERK feedback loop induced by everolimus. CONCLUSION: The combination of zoledronic acid and everolimus has an antitumor effect and could increase gemcitabine efficacy.

Human papillomavirus does not play a role in the Barrett esophagus: a French cohort.

The role of human papillomavirus (HPV) in Barrett's esophagus (BE) has been examined but remains unclear. The purpose of the study is to dispute the connection between HPV and BE in a prospective case-control study. Biopsies were performed above and inside the Barrett's segment for BE patients and in the distal third of the esophagus for control patients for histological interpretation and for virological analysis. Biopsies for virological analysis were placed in a virus transport medium and immediately frozen in liquid nitrogen. Virological analysis involved real-time PCR using the SyBr® green protocol with modified SPF10 general primers. A total of 180 patients (119 control and 61 BE, respectively) were included. In BE patients, 31, 18, and 12 patients had, respectively, no dysplasia, low-grade dysplasia, and high grade dysplasia. Overall, nine were found to be HPV positive: five were control patients and four BE patients. HPV positive status was not associated with BE. No factors were associated with HPV, in particular the degree of BE dysplasia. HPV infection appears unlikely to be significant in the etiology of BE compared with control patients. (ClinicalTrials.gov, Number NCT02549053).

Radiation-induced cholangitis with hepatocellular carcinoma.

There are no reports of hepatocellular carcinoma complicating postradiotherapy cholangitis. We report the case of a 45-year-old patient who had undergone upper abdominal radiotherapy for Hodgkin's disease, 21 years before, which was complicated years later by cholangitis with stricture of the common bile duct. Biliodigestive anastomosic surgery was scheduled due to recurrent angiocholitis, and hepatocellular carcinoma was discovered. The patient died from carcinoma some months later.

Phase II study of paclitaxel combined with capecitabine as second-line treatment for advanced gastric carcinoma after failure of cisplatin-based regimens.

PURPOSE: To determine the safety and the efficacy of paclitaxel and capecitabine as second-line combination chemotherapy after failure of platinum regimens in advanced gastric cancer. METHODS: Patients with histologically proven gastric cancer and measurable metastatic disease received capecitabine 825 mg/m(2) twice daily (1,650 mg/m(2) per day) on days 1-14 and paclitaxel 175 mg/m(2) by intravenous infusion on day 1 every 3 weeks until disease progression or unacceptable toxicities. RESULTS: Between June 2003 and October 2005, 26 patients, of median age 59 years (range 41-84 years) were included in the study and were treated by paclitaxel/capecitabine combination. Overall response rate was 34.6% (95%CI = 17.2-55.7%) with one complete response and 42.3% (95%CI = 17.2-55.7%) of patients achieved a stable disease. Median progression-free survival was 4.5 months (95%CI = 4-4.5 months). Median overall survival was 7.5 months (95%CI = 6-10 months). Cumulated overall survival including cisplatin regimens was 15.5 months (95%CI = 11-18 months). Grade 3/4 adverse events included alopecia (30.8%), neutropenia (11.5%), hand foot skin reaction (11.5%), neuropathy (11.5%), arthralgias (7.5%), and anemia (3.8%). CONCLUSIONS: Paclitaxel and capecitabine combination was safe and effective in advanced gastric cancer after failure of cisplatin regimens. The cumulated overall survival of 15.5 months suggests a particular interest of taxanes in second-line treatment after failure of platinum salts.

Multicentre randomised phase III trial comparing Tamoxifen alone or with Transarterial Lipiodol Chemoembolisation for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma in cirrhotic patients (Fédération Francophone de Cancérologie Digestive 9402).

The FFCD 9402 multicentre phase III trial was designed to compare the effects of the combination of Transarterial Lipiodol Chemoembolisation (TACE) and tamoxifen with tamoxifen alone on overall survival and quality of life in the palliative treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma with cirrhosis. From 1995 to 2002, 138 patients were randomised between the two groups. One hundred and twenty three patients were eligible including 61 in the Tamoxifen group and 62 in the TACE group. Baseline characteristics were similar: Child-Pugh class A: 70%, alcoholic cirrhosis: 76%, Okuda stage I: 71%, multinodular tumour: 70% and segmental portal vein thrombosis: 10%. At 2years, the overall survival was 22% and 25% in the Tamoxifen and TACE groups (P=.68), respectively. Multivariate analysis identified four independent prognostic factors for survival: alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)>400ng/mL (P=.008), abdominal pain (P=.011), hepatomegaly (P=.023) and Child-Pugh score (P=.032). The Spitzer Index level assessing the quality of life during follow-up did not differ between the two groups (P=.70). Amongst patients with stage Okuda I, the 2-year overall survival was 28% in the Tamoxifen group and 32% in the TACE group (P=.58). In this subgroup, two prognostic factors were statistically significant for survival: AFP>400ng/mL (P=.004) and Spitzer Index (P=.013) as shown by multivariable analysis. In conclusion, this study suggests that TACE improves neither the survival nor the quality of life in patients with HCC and cirrhosis.

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) status in primary colorectal tumors correlates with EGFR expression in related metastatic sites: biological and clinical implications.

BACKGROUND: Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer (CRC). There are several potential strategies to target EGFR. However, monoclonal antibodies and low molecular weight tyrosine kinase inhibitors are the most advanced in clinical development. The majority of studies so far have merely required EGFRs to be expressed by CRC cells. The detection of EGFR expression is usually performed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in the primary tumor. There are few data regarding the EGFR status in the corresponding distant metastases. PATIENTS AND METHODS: EGFR status was analyzed by IHC in 80 patients (31 male, 49 female) with CRC (70 colon, 10 rectum) and at least one distant metastatic lesion. Metastatic sites analyzed (n=80) were liver (79 patients) and lung (one patient). RESULTS: EGFR reactivity was similar in the primary tumor and the related metastases. Among the 80 paired primary/metastatic tumors, only five (6.3%) showed discordance in EGFR status: two cases with EGFR expression in the primary tumor but not in the metastasis, and three samples with EGFR expression in the metastasis but not in the primary tumor. CONCLUSIONS: Between the paired primary tumors and distant metastatic lesions, 94% of samples had concordant EGFR status when analyzed by IHC.

Endoscopic argon plasma trimming of biliary and gastrointestinal metallic stents.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and efficiency of plasma argon trimming of gastrointestinal and biliary metallic stents. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 31 patients underwent plasma argon trimming of their metallic stents (14 women, 17 men; mean +/- SD age 73 +/- 12.2 years, range 46 - 96 years). Of these 31 patients, 24 had had covered or noncovered Unistep Wallstents placed in the biliary tract (13 patients with pancreatic neoplasms, five patients with Vater ampulloma, five patients with biliary tract carcinoma and one patient with chronic calcifiying pancreatitis); three patients had noncovered Enteral Unistep Wallstents (pyloroduodenal); two patients with obstructive colorectal carcinoma had a noncovered Bard Memotherm stent inserted; and two patients had noncovered Ultraflex stents placed for esophageal carcinoma. Endoscopic trimming of the stents was performed under propofol-induced general anesthesia, with the power set at 70 - 80 watts and an argon flow of 0.8 liters/minute. RESULTS: Complete and satisfactory trimming of the stents was possible, without complications (mean follow-up 15.8 months), in all patients except one, a patient with a covered biliary Wallstent. In 13 patients with biliary or Enteral Wallstents the trimming procedure was preventive. In eight patients with ulceration and/or hemorrhage (duodenal or rectal), healing was achieved after stent trimming and epinephrine (adrenaline) injection followed by electrocoagulation. Stent trimming restored patency of the duodenal lumen in six patients and of the esophageal lumen in two patients, and was done to allow insertion of a biliary stent in one patient whose duodenal stent was covering the papilla. In one patient with rectal tenesmus, stent shortening resulted in complete resolution of symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Endsocopic plasma argon trimming of metallic stents is an efficient procedure which allows easy, reproducible and well-tolerated correction of complications that arise due to these prostheses.

High-dose, single-agent irinotecan as first-line therapy in the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer.

PURPOSE: The efficacy and safety of single-agent, high-dose irinotecan (CPT-11, Campto) 500 mg/m(2) every 3 weeks were investigated as first-line treatment for advanced colorectal cancer (CRC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients were enrolled into the study to receive a first cycle of therapy with irinotecan at a dose of 350 mg/m(2) every 3 weeks, which could be escalated to 500 mg/m(2) for the second and subsequent cycles depending on toxicity. Efficacy, safety and pharmacokinetics were determined in the intent to treat (ITT) population and the high-dose population (i.e. patients who had received at least three cycles of irinotecan, the second and third at 500 mg/m(2)). RESULTS: Of 49 patients enrolled into the study (ITT population), 31 (63%) received at least three cycles of treatment with cycles 2 and 3 at an irinotecan dose of 500 mg/m(2) (the high-dose population). The response rates (RR) for the ITT and high-dose populations were 24.5% and 35.5%, respectively. The main grade 3/4 toxicities per cycle in the ITT and high-dose populations were neutropenia 22% and 17%, febrile neutropenia 5% and 3%, and diarrhoea 12% and 7%, respectively. The pharmacokinetics of irinotecan and its metabolite SN-38 were investigated in 31 patients in cycle 1 and 22 patients in cycle 2. Irinotecan clearance and SN-38 exposure were not sufficiently correlated with toxicity in cycle 1 to identify patients for dose increase in subsequent cycles. The exposure to irinotecan and SN-38 increased in proportion to dose from 350 to 500 mg/m(2). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that high-dose irinotecan can be safely administered as first-line monotherapy to approximately two-thirds of patients who present with advanced CRC following a selective first cycle.

A weekly 24-h infusion of high-dose 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)+leucovorin and bi-weekly cisplatin (CDDP) was active and well tolerated in patients with non-colon digestive carcinomas.

In patients with non-colon digestive carcinomas, various schedules and doses of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and leucovorin combined with cisplatin (CDDP) have been used extensively. The present study explored the toxicity and activity of a weekly 24-h infusion of high dose 5-FU modulated by high dose leucovorin with bi-weekly CDDP. 59 patients with measurable disease were treated with a weekly infusion of high dose 5-FU (2 or 2.6 g/m2)+leucovorin 500 mg/m2 for 6 weeks and a bi-weekly dose of CDDP (50 mg/m2). All patients had metastatic or locoregionally advanced disease and had a performance status < or =3. All patients were evaluable for toxicity and 58 for response. Toxicity was different according to the schedule of 5-FU. Serious adverse events occurred most frequently when 5-FU was given at a dose of 2.6 g/m2 with a high incidence of grade 3/4 neutropenia (16%) and febrile neutropenia (13%), and led to dose reductions in both CDDP and 5-FU in 13 patients (34%). For patients who started 5-FU at a dose of 2 g/m2, no reduction in 5-FU was required, and only 4 patients required a dose reduction of CDDP (19%). Grade 3/4 neutropenia was seen in 10% of patients of this group and only 1 patient required hospitalisation for febrile neutropenia. Other grade 3/4 toxicities were rare in both groups. Renal toxicity was infrequent and mild and did not require dose adjustments. The overall response rate was 33%; 19 patients achieved a partial responses (PR). No patient had a complete response (CR). The median duration of response was 5.7 months (range 2-24 months) and the median survival was 7.9 months ( range: 1-30, 95% confidence interval (CI): 7-9). The combination of weekly 24-h infusion of high dose 5-FU with leucovorin and bi-weekly cisplatin seems a well-tolerated and active treatment in non-colon digestive carcinomas. A dose of 2 g/m2 of 5-FU seems to be recommended.

Survival and quality of life after palliative surgery for neoplastic gastrointestinal obstruction.

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to identify the prognostic factors which relate to the results, in terms of survival and quality of life, of palliative surgery in cancer patients presenting with an occlusion. METHODS: The files of 109 patients with a neoplasm who were operated on for occlusion between 1990 and 2000 have been re-examined. The prognostic factors studied were age, sex, the location of the primary tumour, the extension of the cancer at the time of the operation, and the surgical procedure carried out. The impact on the quality of life was assessed by the resumption of transit and the return home. RESULTS: The median survival was 64 days and the peroperative mortality was 21%. The quality of life of patients has been improved in 65% of cases. The only factors clearly correlating to survival and the success of the operation are the aetiological diagnosis of the occlusion (local recurrence better than carcinomatosis) and the type of procedure it was possible to carry out (resection better than bypass). CONCLUSION: Palliative surgery can, in a certain number of cases, improve the quality of life of patients, but it has not been possible for us to demonstrate prognostic factors which would allow the selection of patients who could benefit the most from such surgery.

[Intestinal obstruction in cancer patients: results of palliative surgery]. / Occlusions intestinales chez le patient cancéreux: résultats de la chirurgie palliative.

OBJECTIVE: The study aim was to investigate predictive factors related to the results, in terms of survival and quality of life, of palliative surgery in cancer patients presenting with intestinal obstruction. METHODS: A total of 109 patients already treated for a neoplasm were operated on for intestinal obstruction between 1990 and 2000. The investigated prognostic factors were age, sex, location of the primary tumour, extension of the cancer at the time of the operation and the surgical procedure carried out. The impact on the quality of life was assessed by the resumption of intestinal transit and the return home. RESULTS: The median survival rate was 64 days and the postoperative mortality rate 21%. The quality of life was improved in 65% of the patients. The only factors clearly correlated with survival and the success of the operation were the aetiological diagnosis of the intestinal obstruction and the type of procedure which was possible to carry out. CONCLUSION: Palliative surgery may improve the quality of life of a certain number of patients, but it was not possible to demonstrate predictive factors for the selection of patients who could have the larger benefits of such surgery.

[Palliative endoscopic treatment of malignant duodenal stenosis by metal prosthesis]. / Traitement endoscopique palliatif des sténoses malignes duodénales par prothèse métallique.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of through-the-scope metal stents for palliation of malignant duodenal stenosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fourty two patients with malignant primary or secondary duodenal stenoses who were treated with a through-the-scope metal stent were analysed. When obstructive jaundice occurred either before, during, or after the initial episode of gastrointestinal luminal obstruction, a biliary stent was inserted. RESULTS: Duodenal metal stents were deployed in 40 patients. Endoprosthesis insertion led to restoration of oral intake in 39 patients. The procedure was not associated with morbidity or mortality. During a mean follow-up of 9.7 weeks, adequate oral intake was maintained in 38/39 cases. Tumour in-growth led to stent occlusion in 4 cases and re-cannulation was obtained by placement of another stent within the original stent. Obstructive jaundice occurred during the course of the illness in 32 patients and was successfully treated with a biliary metal stent in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopically placed metal stents offer an effective, well-tolerated alternative to surgical palliation in case of incurable malignant obstruction to gastric outflow.

Ascending colonic variceal bleeding: utility of phase-contrast MR portography in diagnosis and follow-up after treatment with TIPS and variceal embolization.

The authors describe the discovery of ascending colonic variceal veins via celiomesenteric diagnostic angiography following a bout of melena in a 44-year-old woman. Magnetic resonance imaging, including phase-contrast MR venography, allowed visualization of the portal and systemic veins immediately after the initial angiograms. The hemorrhagic episode did not resolve until after transjugular intrahepatic shunt insertion and selective variceal embolization through the shunt. At 1 week-, 3 months-, and 6 months post treatment, follow-up MR venography no longer revealed the presence of colonic varices. Colonoscopy at 6 months was normal and the patient did not have any further episodes of bleeding until a liver transplantation was performed after 9 months.

Endoscopic bilateral metal stent placement for malignant hilar stenoses: identification of optimal technique.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to identify factors that facilitate bilateral insertion of metal stents in malignant hilar stenoses, for which plastic stents often result in incomplete drainage and subsequent cholangitis. METHODS: Between January 1994 and April 1998, we collected 45 cases of advanced (Bismuth stage II or higher) hilar malignant stenoses. The insertion technique was progressively modified and the success rate in the early period (1994 to 1995) was compared with that of a later period (1996) and the most recent period (1997 to 1998). RESULTS: Overall success rate was 73.3% (33 of 45). The success rates for the three periods were 50%, 67%, and 88% (p = 0.008), respectively. Cholangitis occurred in 3 of the patients with unilateral stents compared with 1 with bilateral stents. CONCLUSION: We have described a technique for endoscopic insertion of bilateral metallic stents for malignant hilar stenoses that results in high (>88%) and reproducible success rates.

Endoscopic management of sump syndrome after choledochoduodenostomy: retrospective analysis of 30 cases.

BACKGROUND: Side-to-side choledochoduodenostomy is a frequently performed operation. Postoperative biliary "sump syndrome" is infrequent, a complication for which endoscopic sphincterotomy is regarded as the treatment of choice. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 30 cases of sump syndrome and describe the symptoms, the delay before the appearance of symptoms, laboratory abnormalities, the nature of the biliary obstruction, and the outcome of endoscopic sphincterotomy including its efficiency and complications. RESULTS: The median clinical latency was 5 years (range 1 month to 28 years), the median delay between surgery and diagnosis was 6 years (range 1 month to 28 years). Fourteen patients had abdominal pain with fever, 5 had isolated abdominal pain, 4 had post-prandial pain, 4 had hepatic abscesses, and 3 had acute pancreatitis. Liver function tests were abnormal in 79%. During endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, food debris was identified in 18 patients in the biliary sump, biliary calculi in 10 patients, and a mixture of food and calculi in 2 patients. All patients underwent endoscopic sphincterotomy without complication. Recurrence during a median follow-up of 36 months (range 3 months to 11 years) was not observed. CONCLUSIONS: Sump syndrome most often becomes symptomatic only after a long delay. Abdominal pain with fever was the most frequent symptom. Liver function tests were abnormal in the majority of patients. Food debris was the most frequent cause. Endoscopic sphincterotomy appeared to be a safe, reliable treatment.

Extensive aetiological investigations in acute pancreatitis: results of a 1-year prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Epidemiological data on acute pancreatitis are poorly defined. AIMS: To prospectively evaluate the aetiology of acute pancreatitis and to assess the benefits of intensive investigations. METHODS: In a prospective, 1-year study all cases of acute pancreatitis in the Nice catchment area were enrolled. Subjects underwent routine (serum calcium, phosphate and triglycerides; abdominal ultrasonography and CT scan) and additional, delayed intensive investigations (ERCP with bile sampling and/or endoscopy ultrasonography). RESULTS: One hundred and twenty-one cases were included. After routine investigations, a biliary, alcoholic, miscellaneous or unknown origin was diagnosed in 43%, 31.4%, 9.9% and 15.7%, respectively. In subjects with biliary pancreatitis, 43% had no previous history of biliary disease. In the alcohol-related subgroup, pancreatitis recurred in 18.5% during 114.5 days mean follow-up. In subjects with a first episode of alcoholic pancreatitis, delayed supplemental investigations revealed underlying chronic pancreatitis in 92.8%. After routine investigations, a diagnosis of pancreatitis of unknown origin was made in 15.7% (n = 19) of subjects. Additional investigations revealed an underlying cause in 57.8% of these patients (n = 11), including malignancy (n = 3) and biliary disease (n = 4), reducing the overall rate of pancreatitis with no apparent cause to 6.6%. CONCLUSIONS: Investigative techniques, particularly ERCP, will reveal the underlying aetiology of pancreatitis in the majority of patients presenting with 'idiopathic' pancreatitis and should be considered when routine tests are negative.

Effect of endoscopic sphincterotomy on bile lithogenicity in patients with gallbladder in situ.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Endoscopic sphincterotomy results in a continuous flow of bile into the duodenum and consequently leads to an increase in the frequency of enterohepatic bile acid cycling. Because bile acids are the driving force of biliary secretion, sphincterotomy may affect bile genesis. The present study was undertaken to determine the influence of endoscopic sphincterotomy on bile composition. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The cholesterol saturation index and the bile acid pattern were determined in the gallbladder bile of lithiasis patients with (group III) or without sphincterotomy (group I), and in the hepatic bile of patients with gallbladder in situ who were checked at 3 months after the endoscopic procedure (group II). Stones from each patient were examined for chemical composition and microstructure. RESULTS: All the patients had cholesterol stones. After endoscopic sphincterotomy the molar percentages of cholesterol in the gallbladder bile of group III and in the hepatic bile of group II were significantly lower (-31% and -46% respectively) than in group I. Similarly, the cholesterol saturation index in the hepatic bile (0.79) and the gallbladder bile (0.86) from patients who had undergone sphincterotomy indicated undersaturation whereas bile from group I was oversaturated (1.25). On the other hand, endoscopic sphincterotomy did not modify the hydrophobicity index of the bile acid pool, even though deoxycholate content increased. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic sphincterotomy causes a marked decrease in the lithogenicity of bile and thus may prevent the risk of recurrence of cholesterol lithiasis.

[Multifocal MALT lymphoma and acute cytomegalovirus gastritis revealing CD4 lymphopenia without HIV infection]. / Lymphome du MALT multifocal et gastrite aiguë à cytomégalovirus révélant une lymphopénie CD4 sans infection VIH.

We report the case of a 63 year-old female who presented with a seven-year history of epigastric pain and a sudden overall deterioration. Gastroscopy demonstrated inflammatory aspect and ulceration in the antrum and fundus. Histology showed a lymphocytic infiltrate consistent with low grade mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma and cytomegalovirus gastritis. There was no evidence of Helicobacter pylori infection. Other investigations demonstrated two pulmonary foci consistent with lymphomatous infiltration and a reduced CD4 + T-lymphocyte count (85/mm3). Other screening tests including HIV serology were negative. This case of idiopathic CD4 lymphopenia, in conjunction with the other rare cases in the literature, allows us to reevaluate this condition and its unusual clinical presentation with two opportunistic pathologies.