Gastrointestinal lymphoma is a type of cancer that starts in the lymphatic tissue of the digestive tract, which includes the stomach, small intestine, large intestine, and esophagus. The lymphatic system is an important part of your immune system.
B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma is the most common type of gastrointestinal lymphoma, and it often starts in the stomach.
Symptoms
Symptoms of gastrointestinal lymphoma include:
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea
- Bloody bowel movements
- Weight loss
- Feeling full
- Bloating
- Constipation
Treatments
Treatment will depend on what stage of cancer you have, where it spread (if anywhere), your symptoms, and your overall health.
Surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and medications that target cancer can all be options. You may also need surgery to fix your intestines if the cancer has damaged them.
Risk Factors
While most cases of gastrointestinal lymphoma are random, certain other conditions can increase your risk, including:
- H. pylori
- Celiac disease
- Hepatitis B
- HIV
- Epstein-Barr
- Other conditions that affect your immune system