Primary lymphoma of the colon: report of two cases and review of literature

BackgroundGastrointestinal tract is the most frequent site of extranodal lymphoma accounting for approximately 40% of all extranodal lymphomas; out of these, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) comprises 4% of total cases. Primary lymphoma arising in the colon is very rare comprising only 0.2-1% of all colonic malignancy.Patients and methodsWe report two cases of 13- and 20-year-old boys with NHL of colon presenting with abdominal pain and weight loss and discuss the approach to colonic lymphoma after a review of world literature to provide an overview on colonic lymphoma.ResultsColonic NHL most commonly affects older age group with mean age of diagnosis being 55years. Abdominal pain and weight loss are the two most common presentations with palpable abdominal mass as physical examination finding in half of the cases.ConclusionsColonic lymphoma in young adolescence is rare. Multimodality approach involving both surgery and chemotherapy is the principal mode of treatment. Radiotherapy is used in selected cases. If diagnosed preoperatively, non-surgical management can be attempted.