Translocation (5; 11) in a conjunctival MALT lymphoma

Lymphoma is the most frequent malignant tumor of the ocular adnexa with the most common histologic type being extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma (EMZL) of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT lymphoma). Here we report a case of a 28 year-old male who presented with a left conjunctival mass of one year duration. A diagnosis of primary MALT lymphoma of the conjunctiva was made based on morphologic and immunopheno-typic studies. Chromosome analysis revealed a male karyotype with a translocation t (5;11) (q33;p11.2) as the primary chromosomal abnormality, which, to the best of our knowledge, is the first reported translocation in MALT lym-phomas and ocular MALT lymphomas as well.     

CD5-positive mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma of ocular adnexal origin: usefulness of fluorescence in situ hybridization for distinction between mantle cell lymphoma and MALT lymphoma

Extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue type (MALT lymphoma) usually lacks CD5 expression. Herein is described two cases of CD5-positive MALT lymphoma of ocular adnexal origin. The differential diagnosis between CD5-positive MALT lymphoma and mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), notably cyclin D1-negative MCL, was difficult because both cases consisted histologically of small to medium-sized cells with diffuse or vaguely nodular growth pattern, and the neoplastic cells were positive for CD5 and negative for cyclin D1. Somatic mutation analysis of the immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region (VH) gene in case 1 found a relatively higher mutation frequency (5.0%), which was not definitive to rule out MCL. Interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) on paraffin-embedded section using IgH/cyclin D1 (CCND1) probe showed that in both cases there was no molecular evidence of t(11;14), finally leading to the diagnosis of CD5-positive MALT lymphoma. Although the present two patients had no recurrence over 34 months after initial diagnosis, careful observation is needed because the clinicopathological significance of MALT lymphoma with this rare phenotype remains obscure.     

T(14;18)(q32;q21) involving MALT1 and IGH genes in an extranodal diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

Two translocations involving the MALT1 gene have been described in extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphomas of MALT type. A t(11;18)(q21;q21) involving API2 and MALT1 occurs in a subset of MALT lymphomas but with only rare exception is absent in diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (DLBCL), even at MALT sites. More recently, a t(14;18)(q32;q21) involving IGH and MALT1 has been described in nongastric extranodal MALT lymphomas. This translocation is indistinguishable from the IGH-BCL2 translocation by using classical cytogenetics. We report the IGH-MALT1 translocation in a cutaneous DLBCL as shown by classical cytogenetics and molecular cytogenetic analysis. This is the first report of an IGH-MALT1 translocation in DLBCL. These findings indicate that MALT1 translocations are not restricted to indolent-appearing lymphomas, provide further evidence that API2-MALT1 and IGH-MALT1 translocations exhibit biologic differences, have implications regarding the pathogenesis of some extranodal DLBCL, and emphasize that a t(14;18)(q32;q21) cannot be assumed to reflect a BCL2 translocation.     

Primary mantle cell lymphoma of the conjunctiva: a case report

Primary non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas of the conjunctiva are uncommon. They are almost exclusively extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphomas/mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphomas. In this study, we report an extremely rare case of conjunctival mantle cell lymphoma in a 78-year-old man, presenting as a unilateral epibulbar mass.     

Significance of C4d deposition in the follicular lymphoma and MALT lymphoma and their relationship with follicular dendritic cells

We evaluated the deposition of C4d in follicular lymphomas (FL) and extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphomas of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT lymphoma). Deposition of C4d was detected in 118 lymphoma tissues from patients with lymphoma and in 20 reactive hyperplasia lymphadens (RHL) using immunohistochemistical methods. FL, MALT lymphoma, and RHL were studied using double staining for CD35/C4d and Bcl-2/C4d. We studied 26 FL tissues, 19 of which showed C4d deposition. C4d deposition was detected around the follicular dendritic cells (FDCs) in the neoplastic follicles. There was no significant difference between the positive ratio of C4d and the grades of FL. We studied 12 MALT lymphoma tissues, six of which displayed C4d deposition. In these tissues, C4d deposition was detected in the peripheral region of partially colonized follicles in the form of an irregular ring, but was not found in the central region. C4d deposition was negative in completely colonized follicles. There was no C4d deposition in diffuse large B-cell lymphomas, mantle cell lymphomas, B-small lymphocytic lymphomas, T-lymphoblastic lymphomas, peripheral T-cell lymphomas, and anaplastic large cell lymphomas. C4d around the FDCs in the neoplastic follicles was a specific indicator for FL. C4d deposition in partially colonized follicles of MALT lymphoma was completely different from that in neoplastic follicles of FL, forming a key point for differential diagnosis.     

Marginal zone lymphoma of the lacrimal gland spreading to the lung and the bone marrow 11 years after first symptoms

We report on the case of a 52-year-old male presenting with an extranodal marginal zone lymphoma of the mucosa-associated tissue (MALT lymphoma) in the lung 11 years after radiotherapy for a MALT lymphoma of the lacrimal gland, which was primarily diagnosed as dacryoadenitis. Both tumors were investigated by immunohistochemistry and molecular techniques demonstrating their clonal genetic relationship. Both harbored the t(14;18)(q32;q21) and a trisomy 3 and showed identical immunoglobulin heavy-chain gene rearrangements. At the time of pulmonary relapse, clonal CD20- and CD43-positive bone marrow B lymphocytes were detected as well. The elaboration of this case emphasizes the importance of the combined use of modern diagnostic methods for establishment of correct diagnosis of MALT lymphomas at late relapses, which is essential for proper patient management.     

Extranodal mantle cell lymphoma mimicking marginal zone cell lymphoma

AIM: We report a case of mantle cell lymphoma masquerading as a marginal zone cell lymphoma. METHODS AND RESULTS: In the initial manifestation in the palatine tonsils, the neoplastic cells were found to grow exclusively within the marginal zones of secondary follicles which showed a preserved mantle zone. The few immunostains performed showed a B-cell phenotype including an immunoglobulin light chain restriction. The extranodal manifestation, the growth pattern, and the immunophenotype led to the diagnosis of an extranodal marginal zone B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). The specimen from the relapse occurring 8 months later exhibited diffuse monomorphous cells co-expressing B-cell antigens and CD5, CD43 and cyclin D1, leading to the diagnosis of mantle cell lymphoma. Re-investigation of the initial biopsy revealed that the neoplastic cells within the marginal zones had a mantle cell lymphoma immunophenotype expressing cyclin D1, the immunoglobulin heavy chains IgD and IgM and partly CD5. Both lesions harboured identical clonal immunoglobulin gene rearrangements proving that they represented different manifestations of the same lymphoma. CONCLUSION: This case emphasizes the importance of broad immunohistological investigation of B-cell NHLs involving the marginal zone.     

眼附属器淋巴组织增生性病变的临床病理和分子遗传学特征及其意义

目的 分析眼附属器淋巴组织增生性病变的临床病理特点,探讨其分子遗传学特征及其意义.方法 收集1995-2007年37例眼附属器淋巴组织增生性病变石蜡组织标本(其中5例为反应性增生性病变,32例为淋巴瘤),依据2001年WHO肿瘤分类标准对32例淋巴瘤标本重新诊断分类.采用IgH、MALT1、bcl-6、c-Mye、bcl-2、CCND1、bcl-10、FOXP1双色分离重排探针、IgH/bcl-2双色融合易位探针和18号染色体着丝粒探针,利用间期荧光原位杂交(FISH)的方法 检测眼附属器淋巴组织增生性病变的分子遗传学特点.结果 32例淋巴瘤均为非霍奇金B细胞淋巴瘤.其中,黏膜相关淋巴组织结外边缘区B细胞淋巴瘤(MALT)淋巴瘤28例(87.5%),滤泡性淋巴瘤2例,弥漫性大B细胞淋巴瘤2例.60.7%(17/28)的眼附属器MALT淋巴瘤携带分子遗传学异常.其中,IgH基因断裂1例,但未找到与其发生相互易位的伙伴基因;基因3拷贝者16例,其中MALT1基因、bcl-6基因和c-Myc基因3拷贝的发生率分别为25%(7/28)、43%(12/28)和7%(2/28).16例基因3拷贝病例中,两种基因3拷贝合并存在者5例,其中bcl-6基因合并MALT1基因3拷贝者4例,bcl-6基因合并c-Myc基因3拷贝者1例.进一步研究显示,MALT1基因3拷贝者均存在18号染色体三体.2例滤泡性淋巴瘤都携带t(14;18)(q32;q21)/IgH-bcl-2.2例弥漫性大B细胞淋巴瘤均存在遗传学异常,1例表现为bcl-6基因3拷贝合并18号染色体三体,另1例表现为bcl-6基因3拷贝合并IgH和c-Myc基因双断裂.5例反应性淋巴组织增牛性标本均未见分子遗传学异常.结论 MALT淋巴瘤是眼附属器最常见的淋巴瘤类型;间期FISH有助于淋巴组织增生性病变的良恶性鉴别及淋巴瘤的分类;MALTI基因3拷贝者由18号染色体三体所致;18号染色体三体和bcl-6基因3拷贝(可能为3号染色体三体所致)是眼附属器MALT淋巴瘤常见的分子遗传学异常.     

Small B-cell lymphomas of the lymph nodes and spleen: practical insights to diagnosis and pathogenesis.

As defined in the proposed World Health Organization classification of neoplastic diseases of the hematopoietic and lymphoid tissues, the small B-cell lymphomas include B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia / small lymphocytic lymphoma, mantle cell lymphoma, follicular lymphoma, marginal zone B-cell lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) type, nodal marginal zone lymphoma, lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma, and splenic marginal zone B-cell lymphoma. These neoplasms are recognized mostly on the basis of their histopathologic features, but ancillary studies are useful in confirming and sometimes making the diagnosis. Clinically, the small B-cell lymphomas of lymph nodes and spleen (but not those of MALT type) are usually disseminated at diagnosis and considered incurable. With the exception of mantle cell lymphoma, however, they are generally indolent. The small B-cell lymphomas are among the best examples of how malignant lymphomas can be related to the normal immune system. Although uncertainties exist, these lymphomas are generally considered the neoplastic equivalents of normal B-cell compartments. From a molecular perspective, mantle cell and follicular lymphomas are the best characterized. In both cases, there are characteristic chromosomal translocations involving the immunoglobulin heavy chain and the cyclin D1 or bcl-2 genes, respectively, that are probably followed by additional molecular events leading to overt neoplasia. Variable proportions of the small B-cell lymphomas undergo transformation that might be associated with abnormalities in tumor suppressor genes / cell cycle regulatory proteins. After a brief review of normal B-cell development, the major small B-cell lymphomas (except for those of MALT type) will be discussed in terms of their morphologic features, immunophenotype (including paraffin-section immunostaining), genotype, karyotype, and clinical features, including disease evolution.     

Marginalzonenlymphome: extranodale vom MALT-Typ, nodale und splenische

Marginal zone B-cell lymphomas (MCL) of extranodal, nodal and splenic origin appear to be different lymphoma entities with a similar growth pattern in the marginal zone of the B-follicles. Decisive for the detection of MCL as a distinct lymphoma entity was the "MALT concept" for lymphoid infiltrates in the gastric and intestinal mucosa as described by Isaacson et al. in the 1980's. Immunohistological stainings for the immunoglobulin light and heavy chains and molecular pathological studies of the immunoglobulin heavy chain gene configuration have subsequently confirmed the neoplastic nature of the extranodal infiltrates and differentiated marginal zone cells from mantle zone cells. In 1994, the MCL of MALT type as well as of nodal and splenic origin were included in the REAL classification and in 1998 in the new WHO classification for lymphomas. Meanwhile extranodal MCL of MALT-type have been observed in almost every organ and site of the body, by far most frequently in the gastric mucosa. Beside the typical growth pattern, lymphoepithelial lesions are a distinct diagnostic feature of extranodal MCL. Clinically, the small cell extranodal MCL show a very good prognosis with regression after treatment. As for nodal and splenic MCL, we need further studies to evaluate the prognostic aspects and to compare them with other B-cell lymphomas. The same is true for primary extranodal large B-cell lymphomas or blastic transformation to a large cell lymphoma; in these tumors the diagnosis of a MALT type lymphoma should only be made if a small cell component with MALT-specific criteria can be proved.     

Systemic CD5 MALT lymphoma: presentation with Waldenstrom syndrome

We report a case of extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT lymphoma) in a 75-year-old woman with a neuropathy related to high levels of serum immunoglobulin M and a history of rheumatoid arthritis and polymyositis. The patient developed a mass in the right submandibular salivary gland, and this mass demonstrated histopathologic features that are typical of MALT lymphoma, including infiltrates of small monocytoid B cells in the epithelium (forming “lymphoepithelial lesions”), a reactive background of florid germinal center hyperplasia, and follicular colonization by the monocytoid B cells. Many plasma cells in the background expressed cytoplasmic immunoglobulin M lambda, matching the serum spike. Flow cytometric analysis confirmed the presence of clonal mature B cells; however, unlike most MALT lymphomas, these cells coexpressed dim CD5. Clinical staging revealed evidence of systemic distribution with documented disease involving the bone marrow, the lung, and a paratracheal lymph node. Analysis of this unusual systemic MALT lymphoma, and a comparison with similar examples from the literature, illuminates relationships among MALT lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma, and Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia.     

bcl-10蛋白异常表达对黏膜相关淋巴组织结外边缘区B细胞淋巴瘤的诊断价值

目的探讨bcl-10蛋白表达对黏膜相关淋巴组织结外边缘区B细胞淋巴瘤（MALT淋巴瘤）的诊断价值。方法收集140例不同部位的MALT淋巴瘤,包括胃38例、眼眶35例、肠16例、皮肤15例、涎腺15例、肺14例、甲状腺3例、其他部位4例。对照：10例扁桃体反应性滤泡增生（RFH）、5例眼眶的淋巴组织增生和143例非MALT淋巴瘤、不同类型的非霍奇金淋巴瘤（NHL）,包括20例NK／T细胞淋巴瘤、20例滤泡性淋巴瘤（FL）、20例间变性大细胞淋巴瘤（ALCL）、20例淋巴结内弥漫大B细胞淋巴瘤（DLBCL）、10例原发胃DLBCL、13例淋巴结边缘区淋巴瘤（NMZL）、12例套细胞淋巴瘤（MCL）、11例脾脏边缘区淋巴瘤（SMZL）、6例血管免疫母细胞性T细胞淋巴瘤（AITL）、6例外周T细胞淋巴瘤（PTCL）、3例B．小淋巴细胞淋巴瘤（B-SLL）、1例淋巴浆细胞性淋巴瘤（LPL）和1例浆细胞瘤。免疫组织化学EnVision法检测bcl-10蛋白;免疫组织化学双标记法检测CD20与bcl-10的共表达。结果在扁桃体RFH中,bel-10蛋白呈中等强度表达于生发中心B细胞质中,套细胞不表达,边缘区细胞和副皮质区T细胞呈弱表达。在眼眶淋巴组织增生中,2例bel-10阴性,3例主要呈淋巴滤泡生发中心B细胞质阳性,与扁桃体RFH的表达类似。在非MALT淋巴瘤的其他类型NHL中,除3例（3／10）原发胃DLBCL呈胞核阳性外,其余均未见胞核表达;在不同NHL中的胞质阳性分别为：结内（12／20）和胃（7／10）DLBCL、FL和ALCL（16／20）、PTCL（5／6）、AILT（6／6）、NMZL（13／13）、SMZL（11／11）、B-SLL（3／3）和浆细胞瘤（1／1）,11例MCL呈胞质可疑阳性,20例NK／T细胞淋巴瘤和1例LPL阴性;在部分淋巴瘤中可见肿瘤性细胞表达而反应性小淋巴细胞不表达：MALT淋巴瘤之bcl-10的总表达率为92．1％（129／140）,其中54．3％（76／140）胞质阳性,37．9％（53／140）胞核阳性;但不同部位之胞核阳性率有所不同。在MALT淋巴瘤中,bcl-10蛋白核强表达最常见于眼眶（25．7％,9／35）;除出现异常bcl-10胞核表达外,约20％有反应性滤泡的病例呈生发中心失表达。双标记显示bcl-10阳性细胞为CD20阳性细胞,但CD20阳性细胞多于bcl-10阳性细胞。结论（1）淋巴细胞增生性病变中bcl-10蛋白普遍表达,细胞质表达可出现在多数NHL和反应性增生中,但在淋巴瘤中呈肿瘤细胞表达而反应性细胞不表达,提示bcl-10异常可能与部分淋巴瘤的形成有关;（2）细胞核内bcl-10异常表达主要见于MALT淋巴瘤;眼眶、肺等部位的胞核强阳性和生发中心阴性的特殊模式,对MALT淋巴瘤的诊断及其与反应性病变的鉴别诊断有一定辅助意义。     

18q21 Rearrangement and trisomy 3 in extranodal B-cell lymphomas: a study using a fluorescent in situ hybridisation technique

t(11;18)(q21;q21) Translocation and trisomy 3 are the most common chromosomal aberrations reported in low-grade mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma. The current study aims to investigate the frequency of these chromosomal aberrations in a series of 52 extranodal B-cell lymphomas. The tumours were categorised into three histological grades: grade 1 (low-grade lymphoma of MALT type), grade 2 [diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) with MALT component] and grade 3 (DLBCL without MALT component). Fluorescence in situ hybridisation analyses on paraffin tissue sections were performed using a locus-specific probe for the 18q21 region and a centromeric probe for chromosome 3. The 18q21 rearrangement was detected in 9 of 40 (23%) cases, including 7 of 23 (30%) grade-1 and 2 of 11 (18%) grade-3 tumours. Amplification of the 18q21 region was detected in 10 of 40 (25%) cases, and trisomy 3 was detected in 9 of 34 (26%) cases. Amplification of the 18q21 region may be an important alternative pathogenetic pathway in MALT lymphoma and was found almost exclusively in tumours without 18q21 rearrangement. Our study showed that tumours with 18q21 rearrangement and 18q21 amplification develop along two distinct pathways, and the latter was more likely to transform into high-grade tumours upon acquisition of additional genetic alterations, such as trisomy 3. Trisomy 3 was more frequently found in coexistence with 18q21 abnormalities, suggesting that it was more likely to be a secondary aberration.     

Coexpression of CD43 by benign B cells in the terminal ileum.

Expression of CD43 by B cells is often used as a diagnostic criterion in favor of a B-cell lymphoproliferative disorder, including small lymphocytic lymphoma/chronic lymphocytic leukemia, mantle cell lymphoma, Burkitt lymphoma, precursor B-lymphoblastic lymphoma, and a subset of marginal zone B-cell lymphomas. Benign B cells generally do not coexpress CD43. The authors analyzed 20 biopsies of the terminal ileum for nonneoplastic disease for expression of CD43 and compared them with other sites and with CD20, CD138, and CD3 reactivity. The majority of cases (85%) showed strong coexpression of CD43 by benign perifollicular B cells. The presence of CD43 coexpression in B-cell populations of the terminal ileum, including those of Peyer's patches, should not be used as a diagnostic parameter to differentiate extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma of MALT type from reactive processes.     

MALT lymphoma of the tongue: An unusual site that may present a diagnostic challenge

Extranodal marginal zone lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT lymphoma) is a low-grade B cell lymphoma that can affect any organ, usually preceded by acquisition of MALT in response to antigenic stimulus provided by infections or autoimmune diseases. Most often, MALT lymphoma involves the stomach (about 35% of cases), followed by the ocular adnexal region, skin, lungs, and salivary glands, but virtually any extranodal site can be involved. MALT lymphomas are less common at sites of normal MALT tissue, such as Waldeyer ring and the ileocecal region of the gastrointestinal tract. Lymphomas involving the tongue are extremely rare and represent approximately 3% of all lymphomas involving the head and neck region. In this study, we discuss potentially challenging diagnostic aspects of MALT lymphoma involving the tongue and review and summarize the available literature about this topic.     

Composite marginal zone B-cell lymphoma and classical Hodgkin's lymphoma: a clinicopathological study of 12 cases

AIMS: Classical Hodgkin's lymphoma (cHL) rarely coexists as composite lymphoma with B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (B-NHL). We characterized 12 cases of composite marginal zone B-cell lymphoma (MZBL) and cHL by immunohistochemistry and molecular biology. METHODS AND RESULTS: Eight patients had gastric MZBL of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT)-type, in five cases with a diffuse large B-cell lymphoma component. Concurrent cHL was observed either in the stomach wall, regional, or distant lymph nodes. One patient each had composite pulmonary/thyroid MZBL of MALT-type and cHL. In two cases, nodal composite MZBL and cHL was observed. cHL displayed features of mixed cellularity type in 10 cases, while in two cases only scattered Hodgkin- and Reed-Sternberg (H/RS) cells were noted. H/RS cells expressed CD30, multiple myeloma oncogene 1 protein (MUM1P), p53 (100%), CD15 (58%), CD20 (58%) and Epstein-Barr virus-associated LMP1 (50%). No t(11;18)(q21;q21) was detected in composite MZBL of MALT-type and cHL. CONCLUSIONS: MZBL and cHL may occur as composite lymphoma, possibly reflecting clonal lymphoma progression. Derivation from extranodal MZBL of MALT-type should be excluded in cases in which a diagnosis of primary extranodal cHL is considered.     

Fine-needle aspiration biopsy findings in marginal zone B cell lymphoma

Marginal zone B cell lymphomas (MZBCLs) represent a category of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma which may arise in a wide variety of extranodal organs where they are termed low grade B cell lymphomas of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT). MZBCLs may involve primarily lymph nodes and or spleen where they are designated monocytoid B cell lymphoma or splenic marginal zone lymphoma, respectively. Recognition of this category of lymphoma, in particular, extranodal MALT lymphoma, is clinically significant in determining optimal therapy. Although there have been recent case reports describing the cytologic findings in low grade MALT lymphoma in various extranodal organs, this category of lymphoma has not been widely recognized or discussed in the cytology literature. The cytologic findings in seven fine-needle aspirations and two bronchial washings of histologically confirmed marginal zone lymphoma (five extranodal MALT lymphomas and four nodal marginal zone lymphomas) are described. In all of the cases, the cytologic specimens showed a polymorphous proliferation comprising a predominant population of intermediate sized lymphoid cells with centrocyte-like or monocytoid features, transformed cells, and variable numbers of plasma cells. These findings, while highly suggestive of MALT lymphoma in extranodal proliferations, may be more difficult to distinguish from reactive conditions in lymph nodes.