[Watch-and-Wait and surveillance in gastric MALT-lymphoma after exclusive Helicobacter pylori eradication under special consideration of patients' compliance].

The EGILs (European Gastro-Intestinal Lymphoma Study) consensus report recommends H. pylori eradication as therapy of choice in gastric MALT lymphoma. Complete lymphoma remission is followed by a structured follow-up. In case of minimal histological residuals a watch-and-wait strategy with regular endoscopic-bioptic controls is recommended. A prerequisite for the success of this strategy is a good patient compliance.106 patients (50 female and 56 male; 59 years, range 33-85) with gastric MALT lymphoma and exclusive H. pylori eradication were retrospectively analyzed. According to EGILs they should receive follow-up investigations every 6-12 months after complete remission was achieved. Compliance was calculated as rate of performed follow-up to individual total follow-up.94 of 106 patients (89%) revealed complete lymphoma remission or stable minimal histological residuals after H. pylori eradication. Related to the time interval between primary diagnosis and last follow-up 85% (mean) and 95% (median) of patients, respectively, were compliant.Results of H. pylori eradication and prognosis were excellent. The willingness of the patients to undergo follow-up investigations after complete remission and during watch-and-wait underlines the security of this therapeutic strategy and the clinical management of these patients.