Primary small cell type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma of the colon: a case report

J Med Case Rep. 2020 Sep 19;14(1):157. doi: 10.1186/s13256-020-02500-y.

Abstract

Introduction: Primary lymphoma of the colon is exceedingly rare and comprises 0.2-1% of all colon tumors. The most common subtype of lymphoma in the colon is non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Symptoms are often nonspecific, and treatment varies between chemotherapy alone and a combination of surgery and chemotherapy.

Case presentation: We describe a case of a Ashkenazi Jew patient who presented in the typical way that carcinoma of the colon might present but turned out to have a very rare type of tumor in both its histology and its location.

Conclusion: There was apparent discordance between the relative bulkiness and gross appearance of the tumor with the unrevealing result of the biopsies, demanding a high level of suspicion as to the actual presence and possible type of such a tumor in the future.

Keywords: Case report; Colon; Lymphoma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Biopsy
  • Colonic Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Lymphoma*
  • Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin* / diagnosis
  • Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin* / drug therapy