Iron malabsorption in a patient with large cell lymphoma involving the duodenum.

Iron malabsorption compounded the anemia in a patient with diffuse large cell lymphoma involving the small intestine. Both upper gastrointestinal series with small bowel follow-through and computerized tomographic scan demonstrated lymphomatous involvement of the duodenum and proximal jejunum by a retroperitoneal mass. An oral iron-loading absorption test was consistent with malabsorption of iron. After two cycles of systemic chemotherapy, the retroperitoneal mass resolved and the iron loading test normalized.