Methotrexate-associated lymphoproliferative disorder of the stomach presumed to be mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma

Abstract

The number of patients with methotrexate-associated lymphoproliferative disorder (MTX-LPD) is increasing. We describe a case of MTX-LPD of the stomach. After treatment with methotrexate for rheumatoid arthritis, the patient developed left cervical lymphadenopathy and an ulcerative lesion in the stomach, which was presumed to be a mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma. However, we suspected MTX-LPD, based on the clinical course and the positivity of in situ hybridization for the detection of the Epstein-Barr encoding region. After the cessation of MTX, the left cervical lymphadenopathy and the gastric lesion disappeared. This is first report of gastric MTX-LPD that was presumed to be MALT lymphoma.