Diffuse Infiltrating T-cell Lymphoma of the Colon Associated with Polyclonal Hypergammaglobulinemia and Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Report of a Case

Abstract

A 55-year-old man with a chief complaint of melena had diffusely infiltrated lymphoma from the rectum to the sigmoid colon and polyclonal hypergammaglobulinemia. Biopsy specimen obtained from the rectum revealed diffuse medium-sized lymphoma cell with plasmocytosis. Histochemical analysis with monoclonal antibodies indicated that the origin of the tumor cell to be T-lymphocyte. Chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide, vincristine and prednisolone (VEP regimen) was effective for mucosal bleeding of the colonic lesion and reduction of polyclonal hypergammaglobulinemia. Five yrs later he showed recurrence of the disease and elevation of serum alphafetoprotein, and died of pulmonary infections. Autopsy finding confirmed the diagnosis of malignant lymphoma of the colon and disclosed the association of hepatocellular carcinoma.