Primary Intestinal T-cell Lymphomas – A Case Series from a Tertiary Center in South India

Abstract

Abstract Background: Gastrointestinal tract (GIT) is the most common site for extranodal lymphomas, however, primary T-cell lymphomas of GIT are a rare occurrence. The aim of this study is to highlight the diverse clinical presentation and disease course of intestinal T-cell lymphomas, as per the 2019 World Health Organization classification of tumors of the digestive system. Materials and Methods: Out of 77 primary gastrointestinal lymphoma cases diagnosed over a 10-year period (2013–2023), there were five patients with primary intestinal T-cell lymphomas and their demographics, presentation, and clinical course were scrutinized. Results: The male-to-female ratio was 2:3 and the median age was 63.8 years. Involvement of the ileum and ileocecal region was seen in three patients, and jejunal and colonic involvement in one each. All patients presented with advanced stages of disease and progressed rapidly despite aggressive chemotherapy. Conclusion: Intestinal T-cell lymphomas are rare with diverse presentations and dismal prognoses despite the availability of chemotherapeutic regimens. It also reflects the need for pathologists to recognize the disease for appropriate patient management and prognostication. Collaborative studies will help to further characterize the disease for personalized treatment.