Enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphoma overview
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Nima Nasiri, M.D.[2] Sowminya Arikapudi, M.B,B.S. [3]
Synonyms and keywords: Enteropathy-type T-cell lymphoma; Intestinal T-cell lymphoma; EATL; ETTL
Overview
Enteropathy-associated T-cell Lymphoma (EATL), also enteropathy-type T-cell lymphoma (ETTL), is a type of T-cell non-hodgkin lymphoma that affects the small intestine, it is composed of large lymphoid cells. Enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphoma has two subtypes, type I enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphoma which has a strong association with celiac disease and it is more common in western countries and type II enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphoma which is mostly found among the Asian population. Genes involved in the pathogenesis of this disease include 8q24, T-cell receptor (TCR) beta and gamma, and 16q genes. On gross pathology, multiple intestinal ulcers are characteristic findings of EATL. On microscopic histopathological analysis, monotonous cells, round or angulated vesicular nuclei, and prominent nucleoli are characteristic findings of enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphoma. There are no established causes for enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphoma. EATL must be differentiated from other diseases such as peptic ulcer, poorly-differentiated adenocarcinoma, MALT lymphoma, diffuse large B cell lymphoma, and mantle cell lymphoma. The incidence of enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphoma is very low worldwide. There are no established risk factors for enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphoma. Common complications of enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphoma include ulcer, obstruction, and perforation of small intestine. Prognosis is generally poor. According to the Lugano classification, there are four stages of enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphoma based on the number of nodes and extranodal involvement. The most common symptoms of enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphoma include fever, weight loss, skin rash, night sweats, chest pain, abdominal pain, bone pain, and painless swelling in the neck, axilla, groin, thorax, and abdomen. Common physical examination findings of enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphoma include fever, rash, ulcer, chest tenderness, abdomen tenderness, bone tenderness, peripheral lymphadenopathy. Lymph node or endoscopic tissue biopsy is diagnostic of enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphoma. CT scan may be helpful in the diagnosis of enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphoma. Findings on CT scan suggestive of enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphoma include bowel wall thickening, mesenteric fat infiltration, mesentric lymph node cavitation, intussusception, and small-sized spleen. Other diagnostic studies for enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphoma include bone marrow aspiration and bone marrow biopsy. There is no treatment, the mainstay of therapy is supportive care. The optimal therapy depends on the extent and the location of the lymphoma in the small intestine. Surgery is not the first line treatment option for patients with enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphoma. Local debulking is usually reserved for patients with tumor masses with a high risk of obstruction, hemorrhage, and perforation.