A case of rapid growing colonic NK/T cell lymphoma complicated by Crohn's disease

A 37-year-old man developed abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea 11 months before admission. The colonoscopy revealed multifocal ulcers in the colon. Histology showed active chronic inflammation. Although anti-tuberculosis medication was effective, his symptoms repeated 2 months later. The subsequent colonoscopy revealed more extensive irregular ulcers than before, and he was clinically suspected with intestinal malignant lymphoma. He underwent subtotal colectomy and was histologically suggested Crohn’s disease, then 5-aminosalicylic and a combination of prednisone and azathioprine were administered in succession postoperatively, but they achieved minimal relief of symptoms for a period of 7 months. The third colonoscopy showed a large irregular ulcer in the ileocolon stomas, and primary colonic NK/T cell lymphoma was diagnosed through histological and immunophenotypic studies. Malignant lymphoma should be taken into consideration when clinically diagnosed Crohn’s disease was refractory to medication or when its clinical course became aggressive.