BACKGROUND Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma is the commonest form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Gastro-intestinal tract and bone marrow are common extra-nodal sites of lymphomatous involvement. METHODS A 54-year-old woman presented with acute onset epigastric pain. On evaluation, raised serum amylase and radiological features of acute pancreatitis were detected. Gastroscopy revealed thickened folds in distal stomach, which on histopathology revealed large B-cell lymphoma. Subsequently, the patient developed extra-hepatic biliary obstruction due to peripancreatic lymph nodal mass that was relieved with plastic biliary stenting. Subsequent chemotherapy regime directed against lymphoma led to resolution of lymphoma. CONCLUSIONS In this patient , pancreatitis was the initial presentation of primary gastric lymphoma, which has not been commonly reported and therefore should be considered in the etiological workup.