Extranodal marginal zone B-cell mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma of cecum presenting as bright red bleed per rectum--a case report with review of literature.

INTRODUCTION: Primary colorectal lymphomas are particularly rare and contribute to 0.2% of all colorectal malignancies. Gastroentrointestinal (GI) tract is most commonly a secondary involvement site for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). Primary NHL of GI tract are very rare, constituting about 1-4% of all GI tract malignancies. In GI tract, two-thirds of all cases occur in stomach followed by small intestine (9%). Clinical presentation depends upon the site of involvement. Pain, loss of appetite, and weight loss are the most common symptoms, while bleeding occurs more with gastric involvement.

CASE REPORT: We present a case of a female presenting as bright red bleed per rectum who was found to have a cecal mass, subsequently diagnosed as extranodal marginal zone B-cell mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma with extensive plasma cell differentiation.

CONCLUSION: The diagnosis may be challenging, but a solitary extranodal plasmacytoma and multiple myeloma must be excluded in all such cases.