The association of Behcet's disease and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is very rare
. The first case of primary intestinal lymphoma with intestinal Behcet's di
sease is reported.
A 37 year-old woman had been treated for Behcet's disease with colchicine f
or 2 years. In July 1997, she developed uveitis and was treated by monthly
intravenous pulses of cyclophosphamide for 6 months, but uveitis persisted;
so cyclophosphamide was replaced by cyclosporin 300 mg/day. One month late
r, she suffered from diarrhea. Colonoscopy showed ileocoecal ulcerations. H
istological examination of surgical biopsy revealed B large cell type lympo
cytic malignant lymphoma and vasculitis lesions compatible with intestinal
Behcet's disease. Cyclosporin was stopped and treatment with prednisone was
instituted.
The relationship between non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and immunosuppressive drugs
in Behcet's disease is discussed.