Colorectal lymphoma in Mexico: Clinico-pathological and survival analysis

Abstract

Background: Primary colorectal lymphomas (PCLs) are very rare. We analyze a series of PCL to establish an approximate frequency of the disease and their clinico-pathological characteristics. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study in a third-level hospital from 2006-2016. Clinico-pathologic features of 18 cases are presented. Results: PCL corresponded to 1.5% of malignant colorectal neoplasms. Ten cases presented in men, the median age was 57 years, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) was the most common subtype (55.6%), 55.6% presented in cecum, 83.4% as unique polypoid tumor and the median size was 52.5 mm. The most prevalent presentation symptom was abdominal pain (61.1%). Six cases (33%) received initial surgery followed by chemotherapy, 7 cases (39%) received only chemotherapy, 2 cases received only surgery and 3 cases no-treatment. The 2-year disease specific survival was 62.7%. The only factors associated with improved survival in univariate analysis were use of surgery followed by chemotherapy (P=0.043) and HIV (P=0.043). On multivariate analysis none factor was an independent risk factor for decreased survival. Conclusions: The improved overall survival rates in our series emphasize the importance of surgery followed systemic therapy in the treatment of this disease.