Primary Rectal Lymphoma as a Cause of Bowel Obstruction Report of a Case

Abstract

Background

Malignant lymphoma involving the rectum either as a localized process or as a manifestation of disseminated disease is rare. Several treatments have been proposed and reported, including surgical resection alone or associated with adjuvant chemoradiation, chemotherapy alone, and radiotherapy alone.

Methods

A case of bowel obstruction caused by a primary rectal MALT lymphoma is reported. Following emergency loop sigmoid colostomy the patient was started on multiple specific cycles of chemotherapy according to the MACOP-B protocol.

Results

At the end of chemotherapy a remarkable reduction in the size of the tumor was noted. Subsequently the patient underwent an ultralow anterior resection followed by a straight coloanal anastomosis. At 36 months of follow-up the patient is alive with no tumor recurrence.

Conclusions

The present report describes the unique case of a patient with primary obstructing rectal lymphoma treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and sphincter-saving curative surgery.