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Primary Follicular Lymphoma of the Gastrointestinal Tract: Case Report and Review

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Abstract

Purpose

Primary gastrointestinal follicular lymphoma (GI-FL) is considered a rare disease with fewer than 400 cases reported in the literature. It accounts for roughly 1–3 % of GI non-Hodgkins lymphomas (NHL). It originates in the GI tract and typically affects small bowel. The disease has an indolent course, and a prolonged survival can be expected in most cases. Due to its rarity, an optimal diagnostic work up and treatment plan has not been well established.

Methods

Endoscopic evaluation of the entire gastrointestinal (GI) tract using esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), wireless capsule endoscopy, double-balloon enteroscopy, colonoscopy, and whole body examination with fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) has been suggested to more accurately stage the disease and guide the treatment plan.

Results

Treatment options for GI follicular lymphoma include watch and wait strategy, surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, immuno-radiotherapy, or a combination of these modalities.

Conclusion

In this article, we have summarized the existing information regarding clinical presentation, diagnostic evaluation, and treatment options for this rare entity after presenting a case of GI-FL who was diagnosed during an EGD for evaluation of belching, heartburn, and weight loss.

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Author Contributions

Moy B.T. wrote the manuscript and reviewed the literature. Wilmot J. help with manuscript revision. Vaziri H. critically revised the manuscript for important intellectual content. Ballesteros E and Forouhar F. assisted with the pathology section in this review.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA

    Brian T. Moy

  2. Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Connecticut Health Center, 263 Farmington Ave, Farmington, CT, 06030-8074, USA

    Jonathan Wilmot & Haleh Vaziri

  3. Department of Pathology, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA

    Enrique Ballesteros & Faripour Forouhar

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  1. Brian T. Moy
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  2. Jonathan Wilmot
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Correspondence to Haleh Vaziri.

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The content of the manuscript is original and it has not been published or accepted for publication, either in whole or in part, in any form. No part of the manuscript is currently under consideration for publication elsewhere.

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Moy, B.T., Wilmot, J., Ballesteros, E. et al. Primary Follicular Lymphoma of the Gastrointestinal Tract: Case Report and Review. J Gastrointest Canc 47, 255–263 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12029-016-9847-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12029-016-9847-z

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