CD30-positive T cell lymphoma of the intestine, complicating ulcerative colitis.

Large cell lymphoma with massive necrosis and a phagocytic reaction (malignant histiocytosis-type lymphoma) occurred multifocally in the small and large intestine of a 52 year old male, who had suffered from ulcerative colitis of a pancolonic type for 2 years. After total colectomy and partial jejunectomy, the tumor recurred repeatedly during the subsequent 3-year period. He died of massive intestinal hemorrhage with mild regional lymph nodal involvement. Surface marker studies disclosed CD4/CD8-double negative and CD30+ T cell features. CD3 was weakly expressed. Epstein-Barr virus infection was not identified. The relationship of this neoplasm with 'enteropathy-associated T cell lymphoma' and intestinal Ki-1 lymphoma is discussed.