Malignant lymphoma of the small intestine

The clinicopathologic features of malignant lymphoma of the small intestine were reviewed. Genetically, characteristic chromosomal translocations have been identified in several B-cell lymphomas, such as t (11 ; 18)/API2-MALT1 in MALT lymphoma, t (14 ; 18)/IGH-BCL2 in follicular lymphoma, or t (3 ; 14)/BCL6-IGH in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Histologically, DLBCL is most frequently observed, and T-cell lymphoma and follicular lymphoma are more frequent in small intestinal cases than in gastric cases. Macroscopically, small intestinal lymphomas are classified as polypoid, ulcerative (including stricturing, non-stricturing and aneurysmal forms on radiography), multiple lymphomatous polyposis, diffuse, or other types. A significant correlation is observed between these macroscopic/radiographic and histologic types. The therapeutic strategy, such as surgery, chemotherapy, antibiotics or watch-and-wait, should be determined based on the disease extent, histologic type, and clinical stage.