[High serum ferritin levels in malignant lymphoma of the ileum]

A 61-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with lower abdominal distension, anemia and slight emaciation. Primary malignant lymphoma of the ileum was diagnosed after laparotomy and palliative surgery was performed. Pathological specimens demonstrated diffuse lymphoma, and histiocytic (Rappaport's classification) aneurysm-type macroscopic development. The preoperative serum ferritin level was high and increased postoperatively with a slight decrease during VEMP chemotherapy, suggesting it to be a marker of tumor activity. Although palliation was observed during chemotherapy, this patient died of pulmonary complications a little less than 3 months after the operation.