Colorectal lymphoma in Mexico: clinico-pathological and survival analysis

Primary colorectal lymphomas (PCLs) are very rare. We analyze a series of PCL to establish an approximate frequency of the disease and their clinico-pathological characteristics.

A retrospective cross-sectional study in a third-level hospital from 2006-2016. Clinico-pathologic features of 18 cases are presented.

PCL corresponded to 1.5% of malignant colorectal neoplasms. Ten cases presented in men, the median age was 57 years, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) was the most common subtype (55.6%), 55.6% presented in cecum, 83.4% as unique polypoid tumor and the median size was 52.5 mm. The most prevalent presentation symptom was abdominal pain (61.1%). Six cases (33%) received initial surgery followed by chemotherapy, 7 cases (39%) received only chemotherapy, 2 cases received only surgery and 3 cases no-treatment. The 2-year disease specific survival was 62.7%. The only factors associated with improved survival in univariate analysis were use of surgery followed by chemotherapy (P=0.043) and HIV (P=0.043). On multivariate analysis none factor was an independent risk factor for decreased survival.

The improved overall survival rates in our series emphasize the importance of surgery followed systemic therapy in the treatment of this disease.