Thyroid lymphoma with gastrointestinal involvement: report of three cases

Three elderly females are reported who presented with high-grade lymphoma of the thyroid and subsequently were found to have extensive gastrointestinal (GI) lymphoma that dominated their clinical courses. One of the patients remains free of disease 30+ months after extensive resection of involved bowel and combination chemotherapy. Two died from disseminated lymphoma. Optimal delivery of therapy in both of the latter patients was impeded by massive gastrointestinal hemorrhage. A review of previously reported cases of thyroid lymphoma, plus those described here, suggests a predilection for these tumors to involve the GI tract independent of other organ metastases.