ENDOSCOPIC DIAGNOSIS OF GASTROINTESTINAL MALIGNANT LYMPHOMA

Abstract

Primary malignant lymphomas of the gastrointestinal tract account for 30-40% of all extranodal lymphomas, and the gastrointestinal tract is the second most common organ of origin for lymphoma, after the lymph nodes. As the clinical course, including prognosis and treatment options, of gastrointestinal malignant lymphoma differs depending on the histological type and clinical stage, accurate histopathological and staging diagnosis is required. Furthermore, there are various histologic types and endoscopic findings which can correspond to the same pathologic type to some extent. Therefore, an accurate histopathologic diagnosis can only be made through understanding the basic developmental pattern of gastrointestinal malignant lymphoma and the characteristic endoscopic findings of each histologic type. This article outlines the essential characteristics of endoscopic diagnosis of gastrointestinal malignant lymphoma, with the presentation of representative endoscopic findings.