MALT lymphoma

Mucosa-Associated Lymphoid Tissue (MALT) lymphoma (also called MALToma or extranodal marginal zone lymphoma) is a B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) that typically affects elderly patients in the 7^th and 8^th decades. MALTomas can be categorized according to their location as either gastric or nongastric. Gastric MALTomas are frequently associated with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection, whereas nongastric MALTomas are rather associated with autoimmune conditions (e.g., Sjögren syndrome, Hashimoto's thyroiditis). MALTomas typically present with nonspecific symptoms (e.g., fatigue, weight loss) and an unremarkable physical exam. Diagnosis is based on histopathology and immunohistochemistry. In the case of gastric MALTomas, a biopsy should be performed by upper gastrointestinal (UGI) endoscopy. Imaging techniques such as computed tomography (CT) are used for staging purposes. Treatment depends on the type of MALToma: Gastric MALTomas, for example, are treated in most cases with the eradication of the underlying H. pylori infection, whereas nongastric MALTomas are treated with radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery.

• Approx. 5% of NHLs are due to MALTomas
• Peak incidence: 7th and 8th decades

Epidemiological data refers to the US, unless otherwise specified.

• Gastric MALTomas: multiple studies show an association with H. pylori infection.
• Nongastric MALTomas: frequent association with autoimmune conditions
  • Salivary gland MALTomas: see Sjogren syndrome
  • Thyroid MALTomas: see Hashimoto thyroiditis

MALTomas show an association with chronic immune stimulation (bacterial, autoimmune).

• Symptoms depend on the affected organ
  • Physical exam is often unremarkable
  • Lymphadenopathy is rarely present
• Gastric MALTomas
  • Present similarly to peptic ulcer disease and gastritis
  • Abdominal pain
  • Melena, hematemesis, potentially anemia
  • Fatigue, weight loss
• Non-gastric MALTomas
  • Salivary MALToma: parotid enlargement
  • Thyroid MALToma: may present with compression symptoms (e.g., dysphagia, hoarseness)

General approach

• Blood analysis: anemia
• Histopathology and immunohistochemistry
  • Thick infiltrates of small to medium-sized lymphoid cells
  • Granulation tissue, ulcerations
  • Immunologic phenotyping: markers of B-cell lymphoma (e.g., CD20)
• Imaging: CT, MRI, PET-CT for tumor staging

Gastric MALToma

• Endoscopy: Additionally, upper gastrointestinal (UGI) endoscopy
  • Determination of tumor spread
  • Biopsies possibly revealing type B gastritis and H. pylori
• Imaging: CT scan of the chest and abdomen with IV contrast for staging

Gastric MALTomas

• First-line: H. pylori eradication therapy
  • Should be performed even if patient tests negative
  • Eradication of H. pylori is curative in up to 90% of low-malignant gastric MALTomas
• If H. pylori eradication therapy fails: radiotherapy or chemotherapy
• Surgery: gastric resection only necessary if complications (e.g., perforation, bleeding, obstruction) occur.

Nongastric MALToma

• Depends on the exact type and staging
• Treatment options include : radiation, chemotherapy, surgery for local diseases

1. Herold G. Internal Medicine. Herold G ; 2014