Published online Jul 21, 2020. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v26.i27.3989
Peer-review started: March 31, 2020
First decision: April 29, 2020
Revised: June 9, 2020
Accepted: June 23, 2020
Article in press: June 23, 2020
Published online: July 21, 2020
Core tip: The incidence of intestinal NK/T cell lymphoma (NKTCL) is extremely low, and the clinical symptoms are atypical. The misdiagnosis rate is high, and the patient's prognosis is poor. It is commonly caused by Epstein-Barr virus infection. At present, the etiology of this disease is unclear. The patient in this case was eventually diagnosed with intestinal NKTCL. The patient’s condition did not improve after treatment with hormones and infliximab, and she eventually died. This case reminds us that more potential molecular markers need to be explored. The molecular regulatory network needs to be supplemented to help with the differential diagnosis. Clinicians and pathologists need to improve their awareness of this disease and reduce the rate of misdiagnosis.