Primary Intestinal Lymphoma: A Clinicopathological Study

Introduction: Primary intestinal lymphoma (PIL) is defined as an extranodal lymphoma arising in the intestine. This study includes 11 PILs. Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinicopathological characteristics of primary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) in the small and large intestine. All cases were reclassified according to the World Health Organization classification of lymphoma in 2001. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to confirm the histopathological diagnosis. Materials and Methods: Eleven cases of primary non-Hodgkin in the small and large intestine were studied retrospectively in a 5 year period. There were seven cases of resected intestinal specimens and four biopsy specimens. Five cases from ileum and two cases each from caecum and duodenum and one case each from jejunum and duodenum. Hematoxylin and eosin stained sections were studied with light microscopy and IHC for CD5, 20, 21 and cyclin D1 were done. Results: It is a retrospective study of 11 cases of intestinal lymphomas. Abdominal pain and abdominal lump were two main common presenting symptoms. NHLs were more common in the small intestine. PILs are common in adults (75% above 46 years) with male preponderance. All were NHLs and B-cell type. Five cases were diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and four cases each were mucosa-associated lymphatic tissue lymphoma and follicular lymphoma. One case was lymphomatoid polyposis or mantle cell lymphoma. Conclusion: PILs is rare and differs significantly from their gastric counterpart, not only in pathology but also with regard to clinical features, management and prognosis. Due to the lack of characteristic symptoms and a low incidence rate, PIL is misdiagnosed until serious complications occur, such as perforation and bleeding and hence needs to be accurately diagnosed.