What to Know About Small Intestine Lymphoma

Small intestine lymphoma occurs when non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma affects the small intestine. It can cause abdominal pain, weight loss, and fever. Treatment involves chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation therapy.

Lymphoma is a cancer that affects the body’s lymph system. The lymph system helps to protect your body from infections.

It’s possible for lymphoma to develop wherever there’s lymph tissue in the body, which can include parts of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract such as the small intestine.

Below, we’ll go into more detail about small intestine lymphoma. We’ll also outline how this type of lymphoma is diagnosed and treated as well as what’s known about the outlook for people living with small intestine lymphoma.

Small intestine lymphoma is a type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) that affects lymphocytes in the small intestine. Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell that responds to infections.

The main types of lymphocytes are B cells and T cells. B cells make antibodies in response to infections, and T cells destroy germs or abnormal cells in the body.

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Generally speaking, B-cell lymphomas are more common than T-cell lymphomas. The same is also true for GI lymphomas , which include those affecting the small intestine.

Small intestine lymphoma can also be primary or secondary. “Primary” means that the lymphoma started in the lymph tissue of the small intestine. Overall, primary GI lymphomas are quite rare .

“Secondary” means that the lymphoma started elsewhere and is now in the lymph tissue of the small intestine.

The most common part of the small intestine affected by lymphoma is the ileum, which is the part of the small intestine closest to your large intestine. About 60% to 65% of small intestine lymphomas are found in the ileum.

Causes and risk factors

In general, NHL happens due to changes in DNA that cause lymphocytes to grow uncontrollably. These changes can either be inherited from your parents or acquired during your lifetime based on lifestyle and environmental factors.

GI lymphomas are often diagnosed in older adults, typically in those over the age of 60 . These types of lymphoma are slightly more common in people assigned male at birth.

Other risk factors for NHL in general include:

• a family history of NHL
• exposure to certain chemicals, pesticides, or herbicides
• previous exposure to radiation
• a weakened immune system
• an already existing immune-mediated disease such as lupus, celiac disease, or inflammatory bowel disease
• certain infections such as Epstein-Barr virus, Helicobacter pylori, and HIV

What are the symptoms of small intestine lymphoma?

The symptoms of small intestine lymphoma may include:

• abdominal pain
• abdominal bloating
• unintended weight loss
• nausea or vomiting
• diarrhea
• blood in your stool
• fever

Small intestine lymphomas can also lead to potentially serious complications, which may include intestinal obstruction or perforation.