Haematology: gastric MALT lymphoma: practice question

A Pathology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Pathology · Haematology: gastric MALT lymphoma

Sample item

A 58-year-old man with dyspepsia has a gastric biopsy showing small lymphoid cells infiltrating and destroying glands, forming lymphoepithelial lesions. Helicobacter pylori is present. What is the most appropriate initial treatment for this localised lesion?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

B. Eradication of Helicobacter pylori

Gastric marginal zone lymphoma of MALT type arises from chronic antigenic stimulation by H. pylori. Early disease often regresses after eradication therapy, and relapse is possible, so follow-up is required.

Option by option

  • A. CHOP chemotherapy

    Combination chemotherapy is reserved for disease that does not respond or has transformed.

  • B. Eradication of Helicobacter pylori (correct)

    Correct. Antibiotic and acid suppression to eradicate H. pylori can cause regression of localised disease.

  • C. Subtotal gastrectomy

    Surgery is not first line for early disease that can respond to eradication.

  • D. Autologous stem cell transplantation

    Stem cell transplantation is not indicated for localised low-grade MALT lymphoma.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Pathology question

What is the answer to this Pathology question?

The best answer is B, Eradication of Helicobacter pylori. Gastric marginal zone lymphoma of MALT type arises from chronic antigenic stimulation by H.

Why is "CHOP chemotherapy" not the answer?

Combination chemotherapy is reserved for disease that does not respond or has transformed.

Why is "Subtotal gastrectomy" not the answer?

Surgery is not first line for early disease that can respond to eradication.

Why is "Autologous stem cell transplantation" not the answer?

Stem cell transplantation is not indicated for localised low-grade MALT lymphoma.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Haematology: gastric MALT lymphoma in Pathology. pylori. Early disease often regresses after eradication therapy, and relapse is possible, so follow-up is required.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Haematology: gastric MALT lymphoma?

Learn each disease as a bundle: cause, key histology, markers, and the clinical hallmark. Then use the flashcards and the other Pathology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.