Primary gastrointestinal tract lymphoma: diagnosis and management of common neoplasms

Abstract

Primary gastrointestinal lymphoma represents the most common location of extranodal lymphoma. With the bulk of disease manifesting within the gastrointestinal tract and contiguous lymph nodes, many of the lymphomas occurring in the peripheral lymph nodes can also present with primary gastrointestinal tract involvement. Molecular biology has recently enabled significant progress in the diagnosis and management of primary gastrointestinal lymphoma. Herein, we will discuss the major lymphomas affecting the bowel and highlight their key morphological, immunophenotypical and molecular diagnostic attributes. Similarly, in keeping with recent therapeutic advances, we will briefly discuss some important treatment considerations. Thus, this review is intended to offer clinicians and pathologists an overview of primary gastrointestinal lymphomas.

Keywords::

• diagnosis
• gastrointestinal
• lymphoma
• MeSH headings
• pathology
• primary
• review treatment

Acknowledgements

The authors are indebted to CT-S Chung for reviewing the manuscript.

Notes

MALT: Mucosal-associated lymphoid tissue; NK: Natural killer.

Modified from [15].