Intestinal perforation complicating type II enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphoma

Abstract

Type II enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphoma (Type II EATL) is only rarely reported in Asia, especially in Taiwan and is known to be associated with a high bowel perforation rate. We described a case of Type II EATL with fatal perforation of the small intestine during his first cycle of chemotherapy. Conventional treatment for enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphoma consists of combination chemotherapy used for aggressive T-cell lymphoma (e.g., cyclophosphamide, adriamycin, vincristine, prednisone). Perforation of intestine often occurs at the time of diagnosis or in the early days of the first cycle of chemotherapy in these patients. To rescue and treat patient promptly, intestinal perforation should always be kept in mind as a differential diagnosis of acute abdominal pain in these patients. This case report highlights the potential pitfall in managing patients with gastrointestinal lymphoma and the need for maintaining a low threshold for prechemotherapy surgical intervention in patients diagnosed with type II EATL.

Keywords

• T-cell lymphoma
• enteropathy
• intestinal perforation