Methotrexate-associated Lymphoproliferative Disorder of the Stomach Presumed to Be Mucosa-associated Lymphoid Tissue Lymphoma

Intern Med. 2018;57(22):3249-3254. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.0737-18. Epub 2018 Nov 15.

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.

Keywords: MALT lymphoma; lymphoproliferative disorder; methotrexate; rheumatoid arthritis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antirheumatic Agents / adverse effects*
  • Antirheumatic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / drug therapy
  • Biopsy
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • In Situ Hybridization
  • Lymphoma, B-Cell, Marginal Zone / diagnosis*
  • Lymphoproliferative Disorders / chemically induced*
  • Lymphoproliferative Disorders / diagnosis
  • Lymphoproliferative Disorders / pathology
  • Methotrexate / adverse effects*
  • Methotrexate / therapeutic use
  • Stomach / pathology
  • Stomach Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Stomach Ulcer / chemically induced*
  • Stomach Ulcer / diagnosis
  • Stomach Ulcer / pathology

Substances

  • Antirheumatic Agents
  • Methotrexate