Intussusception due to lymphoma

Over 1,200 infants and children with an intussusception were treated at our hospital over the last 40 years and from this group, only 11 were found to have a lymphoma as a leading point for the intussusception. This number represents 17% of the 65 pathologic lesions that have caused an intussusception. Three children were under 41/2 years of age. All the children except two were chronically ill with pain for at least 1 week and usually for several months; weight loss and an abdominal mass in many instances provided the suspicion of a possible malignancy. When barium studies were done, there was almost always an ileocolic intussusception present with some obstruction. Reduction of the intussusception was accomplished with hydrostatic barium enema in 10 of the 11 patients; the one reduction, however, had a residual filling defect. Surgery confirmed the above findings and a resection of the leading point lymphoma was carried out in all of the children. In spite of all forms of treatment, death followed in all but three, usually within several months. One of these three survivors was treated with radiotherapy and steroids (after surgical excision) and is alive after 30 years; the second was also given chemotherapy and is alive and well after 6 years, and the third has not had radiotherapy and is alive after 10 months.