MANTLE CELL LYMPHOMA OF THE GASTROINTESTINAL-TRACT (LYMPHOMATOUS POLYPOSIS)

A 74-year-old male with a history of a tonsillar lymphoma developed di arrhea. Investigations led to detection of extensive intestinal lympho matous polyposis (mantle cell lymphoma). After an aggressive clinical course with associated nodal and peripheral blood involvement, death f ollowed within three months. Postmortem studies revealed widespread di ssemination within the entire gastrointestinal tract, including the es ophagus, stomach, and small and large intestines. Although this type o f lymphoma is rare and accounts for only about 1% to 8% of all forms o f primary B cell gastrointestinal lymphomas in North America, separati on from other subtypes has become more important because of reported r esponses of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue-lymphomas to antibiotics aimed at Helicobacter pylori eradication.