[Extranodal lymphomas of the gastrointestinal tract. Retrospective study of a six year period].

Introduction: We present a six year study (from 1998-2003 year) concerning Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas originating from the gastrointestinal tract according to the classification of WHO (1997).

Results: For the mentioned period in the University Hospital "Sveti Georgi" are diagnosed 22 cases of extranodal Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas of the gastrointestinal tract; 9 (40.9%) of them originated from lymph nodes of Valdier, 1 (4.5%)--from parotid gland, 6 (27.3%)--from stomach, 4 (18.2%) from large intestine and 2 (9.1%) cases from the small intestine. The ratio men/women is equal, and the age is between 20 to 84 years. All the lymphomas were B-cells type; in 6 cases they are MALT lymphomas, and in the rest of the cases--diffuse large cell B-cell type Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas.

Conclusion: In our investigation all Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas of the gastrointestinal tract are of B-cell type. Obviously their diagnosis is being late; probably because diffuse large cell B-cell type Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas are the predominant type.