Published online Jan 28, 2016. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v22.i4.1674
Peer-review started: July 30, 2015
First decision: September 11, 2015
Revised: September 28, 2015
Accepted: October 12, 2015
Article in press: October 13, 2015
Published online: January 28, 2016
Processing time: 181 Days and 19.5 Hours
Due to an increasing incidence and more frequent recognition by endoscopists, gastrointestinal follicular lymphoma has been established as a variant of follicular lymphoma. However, due to its rarity, there are no established guidelines on the optimal diagnostic strategy for patients with primary gastrointestinal follicular lymphoma or secondary gastrointestinal involvement of systemic follicular lymphoma. This review offers an overview and pitfalls to avoid during the initial diagnostic workup of this disease entity. Previously reported case reports, case series, and retrospective studies are reviewed and focus on the disease’s endoscopic and histological features, the roles of computed tomography and positron emission tomography scanning, the clinical utility of the soluble interleukin-2 receptor, and the possible pathogenesis.
Core tip: This review provides an overview regarding the initial diagnostic workup of gastrointestinal follicular lymphoma. Previously reported case reports, case series, and retrospective studies are reviewed, and focus on the disease’s endoscopic and histological features, the roles of computed tomography and positron emission tomography scanning, the clinical utility of the soluble interleukin-2 receptor, and the possible pathogenesis. Although there is no doubt that endoscopic examinations play a major role in the diagnosis of this disease, gastroenterologists should also keep in mind that follicular lymphoma patients with gastrointestinal involvement must be investigated according to the general guidelines for systemic follicular lymphoma.