Primary gastrointestinal lymphoma

Sixteen cases of primary malignant lymphoma of the gastrointestinal tract were reviewed because of some controversy concerning its proper management. An intraabdominal disease staging system with prognostic correlation was used. Treatment employed was either (biopsy plus) irradiation alone or surgical resection of abdominal neoplasm with postoperative radiotherapy. Conventional megavoltage locoregional or subtotal/whole abdomen irradiation with an often given total dosage of 3,000-4,000 cGy up to 5.5 weeks was applied. Overall 4-year disease-free survival rate was 71%. Operative removal of neoplasm appeared important for an improved prognosis. Definitive radiotherapy alone did not have a dismal outcome.