Malignant lymphoma of the rectum

Abstract

Malignant lymphoma involving the rectum is rare. Of 61 patients with malignant lymphoma involving the rectum seen at the Mayo Clinic between 1950 and 1977, 49 had extensive lymphoma with secondary involvement of the rectum, and 12 had lymphoma confined to the rectum. Patients with widespread lymphoma were treated with radiation, chemotherapy, or both. Of the 12 patients with lymphoma confined to the rectum, five had surgical excision and seven were treated nonoperatively; the overall five-year survival was 20 percent. Patients with widespread lymphoma had a five-year survival of 15 percent. Patients with lymphoma confined to the rectum had a five-year survival of 50 percent, and patients who had surgical excision did better than those treated nonoperatively.