Enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphoma of the jejunum complicated with intestinal perforation

Enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphoma (EATL) is a rare, well-documented complication of celiac disease, accounting for less than 1% of the non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. Perforation as the presentation of intestinal lymphoma is rare, and as the presentation of EATL is even rarer. Herein, we report a 56-year-old female with EATL of the jejunum complicated with intestinal perforation. She was admitted because of sudden onset of severe abdominal pain. Emergent exploratory laparatomy was done under the impression of perforative peptic ulcer, however, an ulcerative tumor with perforation was noted unexpectedly at the proximal jejunum. After tumor resection and end-to-end anastomosis of the jejunum, the patient received eight courses of CHOP (cyclophosphamide, adriamycin, oncovin and prednisolone) chemotherapy. Now she has been disease-free for one and half years after the diagnosis. From our experience and that of others, we consider that combination chemotherapy should be helpful for patients with EATL.