Clinical features and therapeutic outcomes of primary gastrointestinal lymphoma in children: a report of 20 cases

Abstract

Objective To explore the clinical features, pathological types, diagnosis, treatment and efficacy of primary gastrointestinal lymphoma (PGIL) in children. Methods The clinical data were reviewed for 20 children with a definite diagnosis of PGIL. And follow-ups were conducted. Results The longest follow-up period was 43 months. After eliminating the effects of gender, age, clinical staging and cell typing, single factor variance analysis was performed on treatment modalities. In operation plus chemotherapy (A) group, there were recurrence (n=2) and death (n=1). And the 3-year overall survival rate was 90.9% and 3-year disease-free survival rate 81.8%. In chemotherapy alone (B) group, there were recurrence (n=5) and death (n=3). And the 3-year overall survival rate was 66.7% and 3-year disease-free survival rate 44.4%. The median survival time was 41.0 months in group A versus 24.9 months in group B. According to the Kaplan-Meier statistical analysis, the survival time of group A was longer than that of group B(P 0.05). Conclusions Mature B-cell lymphoma accounts for a majority of pediatric non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) cases. NHL is highly aggressive. Comparing with chemotherapy alone, the overall survival time could be prolonged by surgery plus chemotherapy with a lower mortality. However, the relapse rate could not be reduced. And it is essential to expand sample size and extend observation period. Key words: Child; Lymphoma; Gastrointestinal neoplasms; Surgical procedures, operative; Chemotherapy, adjuvant