ABSTRACT
The aim of this study is to determine the clinicopathologic features of primary gastrointestinal non-Hodgkin's lymphorma [GL NHL] at king Abdulaziz Universaty Hospital-Jeddah, and to compare our results to those reported in the literatures. Twenty three adult patients with primary GI NHL diagnosed over 5- years period [2000-2005] were retrospectively studied clinically and histopathotogicaliy. They were classified using the REAL/WHO histopathologic classification. Of the 23 patients with primary Gl NHL, 14 [60.9%] were Saudi, with male to female ratio of 1.3:1. The mean age of the male patients was 61.3 years ranging from [42-83] years with a SD +/- 13.09 while for females was 64 years, age range [50-75] with a SD +/- 9.14. Abdominal pain was the most common presenting symptoms [78.3%] and the most common primary site was the stomach [73.9%] followed by the small bowel [13 %]. The most frequent histologic subtype was the diffuse large-B cell lymphoma accounting for [60.9%] of all cases, followed by marginal-zone cell lymphoma [MALT type] which was Helicobacter pylori associated in [39.1%]. A large proportion of patients with primary GI NHL had early disease [Stage IE: 20%. Stage IIE 58.6%]. In regards to treatment 15 patients [65.2%] had chemotherapy, while only 2 patients [8.7%] were treated by Helicopter pylori eradication. The overall 5 years survival was [47.8%]. The data demonstrated that primary GI NHL is more common among males, mainly in their sixth decade. Abdominal pain is the most common diagnostic symptoms, with being the most common involved site. Diffuse large-B cell lymphoma is the most frequent histologic subtype, followed by extra-nodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma [MALT type] Helicobacter associated. The majorities of the cases have early disease [Stage IE and IIE] and mostly treated by combination chemotherapy