title: A rare but potentially fatal cause of diarrhoea and weight loss: enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphoma.
abstract: Enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphoma (EATL) is a rare but potentially fatal cause of diarrhoea and weight loss. EATL commonly presents with abdominal pain, diarrhoea and weight loss, but can also present with complications such as bowel obstruction and perforation. It is a tumour of intraepithelial lymphocytes that occurs in a relatively young population. It is the most common neoplastic complication of coeliac disease, but can occur with no prior diagnosis of coeliac disease. This case demonstrates the difficulties that can be faced in diagnosing this disorder, particularly when there is no preceding history of coeliac disease. Early diagnosis is of utmost importance in order to start treatment before the effects of malnutrition increase the risk of complications from chemotherapy. Hence awareness of the condition among general medical physicians, to whom it will often present first, is essential. However, even with prompt diagnosis, outcomes for this condition remain poor.
authors.affiliation: Department of Haematology, Stoke Mandeville Hospital, Aylesbury, UK.
authors.forename: Gorav Neel
authors.initials: GN
authors.lastname: Wali
authors.affiliation: Department of Haematology, Stoke Mandeville Hospital, Aylesbury, UK.
authors.forename: Helen Elizabeth Jane
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Tyrrell
authors.affiliation: Department of Haematology, Churchill Hospital, Oxford, UK.
authors.forename: Graham P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Collins
authors.affiliation: Department of Haematology, Stoke Mandeville Hospital, Aylesbury, UK.
authors.forename: Helen J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Eagleton
mesh_terms: D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001201:Ascites / Q000209:etiology; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000209:etiology; D058527:Enteropathy-Associated T-Cell Lymphoma / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D007416:Intestinal Perforation / Q000209:etiology*; D007421:Intestine, Small; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015431:Weight Loss