Steatorrhea and malignant lymphoma the relationship of malignant tumors of lymphoid tissue and celiac disease

Summary 1. Seven patients with celiac disease complicated by malignant lymphoma are presented. Seventeen other cases of steatorrhea and lymphoma, together with 40 cases from the literature, are discussed.2. The commonest mode of presentation of this type of reticulosis is failure of response to treatment for steatorrhea or a recurrence of symptoms in patients who have improved as a result of treatment. Abdominal pain, skin rashes, fever, and an abdominal mass occur frequently. Laparotomy with biopsy gives the best chance of diagnosis.3. When steatorrhea occurs with malignant lymphoma, the tumor is found mostly commonly in proximal small intestine; the incidence of Hodgkin's disease is increased; there appears to be a higher than normal incidence among women; the onset of lymphoma is later than usual, and the prognosis is poorer.The authors wish to thank the many clinicians who allowed us to study cases under their care and the following pathologists for help in studying histological material: Dr. N. J. Brown, Dr. J. A. Dossett, Dr. R. A. Drury, Prof. C. V. Harrison, Dr. R. J. Sandry, and Dr. T. H. Shaw.