Lymphoma pancreatitis: a real entity.

Pancreatitis induced by malignant disease is uncommon. A case of lymphoma presenting as acute pancreatitis and subsequent pancreatic abscess is reported; this led to the patient's death, 6 weeks after the initial attack of pancreatitis. Five other reports are reviewed. The pancreatitis always preceded the diagnosis of lymphoma and the preoperative diagnosis was always difficult. Lymphoma pancreatitis should, therefore, be considered in the etiology of acute pancreatitis, especially if the more likely causes have been ruled out.