Immunoproliferative Small Intestinal Disease
Synonyms
Disease, alpha-Chain
Diseases, alpha-Chain
Heavy Chain Disease, IgA Type
IPSID
Lymphoma, Mediterranean
Mediterranean Lymphoma
alpha Chain Disease
alpha-Chain Disease
alpha-Chain Diseases
A condition that is caused by HYPERPLASIA of LYMPHOCYTES in the small intestine (INTESTINE, SMALL) and the mesenteric LYMPH NODES. These lymphocytes produce an anomalous alpha heavy chain protein. Generally, these IPSID patients have either concurrent LYMPHOMA or develop lymphoma within a few years. The disease was first described in the Mediterranean region and is characterized by malabsorption; WEIGHT LOSS; DIARRHEA; and STEATORRHEA.