Gastrointestinal lymphoma

Imaging features of primary extranodal lymphomas

Lymphomas are generally considered tumours of lymph nodes, but up to 40% arise extranodally. This group shows distinctive pathological, radiological, and clinical features. Different subtypes of extranodal lymphoma may show sufficiently specific radiological features to be of significant value in both establishing a diagnosis of lymphoma and ascertaining the exact subtype. Rapidly evolving lymphoma classifications and emergence of new entities have, however, hampered the accurate description of these features in the literature. In this review, we discuss the radiological appearances, using a variety of imaging methods, of the full spectrum of primary extranodal lymphomas, categorized according to the current World Health Organisation classification.

Primary early-stage intestinal and colonic non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma: Clinical features, management, and outcome of 37 patients

AIM: To analyze the clinical features, management, and outcome of treatment of patients with primary intestinal and colonic non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (PICL).

METHODS: A retrospective study was performed in 37 patients with early-stage PICL who were treated in our hospital from 1958 to 1998. Their clinical features, management, and outcome were assessed. Prognostic factors for survival were analyzed by univariate analysis using the Kaplan-Meier product-limit method and log-rank test.

RESULTS: Twenty-five patients presented with Ann Arbor stage I PICL and 12 with Ann Arbor stage II PICL. Thirty-five patients underwent surgery (including 31 with complete resection), 22 received postoperative chemotherapy or radiotherapy or both. Two patients with rectal tumors underwent biopsy and chemotherapy with or without radiotherapy. The 5- and 10-year overall survival (OS) rates were 51.9% and 44.5%. The corresponding disease-free survival (DFS) rates were 42.4% and 37.7%. In univariate analysis, multiple-modality treatment was associated with a better DFS rate compared to single treatment (P = 0.001). While age, tumor size, tumor site, stage, histology, or extent of surgery were not associated with OS and DFS, use of adjuvant chemotherapy significantly improved DFS (P = 0.031) for the 31 patients who underwent complete resection. Additional radiotherapy combined with chemo-therapy led to a longer survival than chemotherapy alone in six patients with gross residual disease after surgery or biopsy.

CONCLUSION: Combined surgery and chemotherapy is recommended for treatment of patients with PICL. Additional radiotherapy is needed to improve the outcome of patients who have gross residual disease after surgery.