Intestinal Behcet's disease associated with intestinal non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

The association of Behcet's disease and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is very rare. The first case of primary intestinal lymphoma with intestinal Behcet's disease is reported. A 37 year-old woman had been treated for Behcet's disease with colchicine for 2 years. In July 1997, she developed uveitis and was treated by monthly intravenous pulses of cyclophosphamide for 6 months, but uveitis persisted; so cyclophosphamide was replaced by cyclosporin 300 mg/day. One month later, she suffered from diarrhea. Colonoscopy showed ileocoecal ulcerations. Histological examination of surgical biopsy revealed B large cell type lympocytic malignant lymphoma and vasculitis lesions compatible with intestinal Behcet's disease. Cyclosporin was stopped and treatment with prednisone was instituted. The relationship between non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and immunosuppressive drugs in Behcet's disease is discussed.