Influence of Severe Gastrointestinal Complications in Primary Gastrointestinal Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma

BACKGROUND: This study assessed the clinical characteristics of gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB), obstruction (GIO), and perforation (GIP) in patients with primary gastrointestinal diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (PGI-DLBCL) and the influence on long-term survival. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed of 148 patients with PGI-DLBCL admitted to Peking University First Hospital from August 1994 to May 2018. The clinical characteristics of GIB, GIO, and GIP before and after chemotherapy were recorded. The associated overall survival and progression-free survival were analyzed. RESULTS: Among 148 patients, 56.8% had gastrointestinal complications (GICs), including GIB, GIO, GIP, and multiple complications, and 22.6% of them occurred after chemotherapy, mostly during the first 4 cycles. The most common clinical manifestations of patients with GICs were abdominal pain or discomfort (79.8%), hematemesis or melena (22.6%), and abnormal bowel habits (17.9%). Patients with Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) score ≥2, tumor mass ≥10 cm, or intestinal involvement had significantly higher risk of severe GICs as initial manifestations. Among 130 patients who received chemotherapy, B symptoms, tumor mass ≥10 cm, and Lugano stage (IIE, IV) strongly correlated with GICs after chemotherapy (P < 0.05). Rituximab did not increase the risk of GICs. GICs which occurred before or after chemotherapy reduced the objective response rate at the end of chemotherapy. The prognosis of patients was significantly worsened by GIP, GIB, or multiple complications after chemotherapy (P < 0.05). GIB at presentation or GIO before or after chemotherapy had no prognostic value (both P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: GICs adversely affect the quality of life, prolong the length of hospitalization, and shorten the long-term survival of patients with PGI-DLBCL.