Primary gastrointestinal mantle cell lymphoma: a retrospective study

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Hematology
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Primary gastrointestinal tract mantle cell lymphoma (GI-MCL) is exceptionally rare.
• Limited data exists on the natural history and prognosis of this specific entity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the clinical characteristics, epidemiological factors, and treatment outcomes of primary GI-MCL patients.
• To analyze the response to standard chemotherapy regimens and identify prognostic indicators.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective observational study of seven primary GI-MCL patients diagnosed between 2001 and 2012.
• Analysis of patient demographics, disease sites, histological subtypes, and treatment protocols.

Main Results:

• All seven patients were male, with a median age of 67.7 years. Stomach, colon, and rectum were affected.
• Three patients had blastoid variant, three had diffuse variant, and one had nodular pattern.
• Only one patient achieved complete remission with CHOP chemotherapy; others showed poor response and short survival (median 6 months).

Conclusions:

• Primary GI-MCL is highly aggressive, with high-risk MIPI scores and poor survival compared to nodal MCL.
• Standard CHOP chemotherapy demonstrates limited efficacy in this patient group.
• Consideration of rituximab for remission induction and maintenance is recommended for elderly patients ineligible for transplant.