MALT Lymphoma in Children: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Abstract

Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma predominantly occurs in adults, and is rare in children. We report a case of MALT lymphoma involving minor salivary gland of the lip in an otherwise healthy 12-year-old boy. This is the second case report of MALT lymphoma of minor salivary gland in an immunocompetent child. Of 24 cases of MALT lymphomas in children reported in the English literature, parotid MALT lymphomas in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patients and H. pylori infection-associated gastric MALT lymphomas are the most common. As in adult cases, most MALT lymphomas in the pediatric age group are localized and follow an indolent clinical course, respond well to therapy, and have an excellent outcome.

Unexpected finding of laparoscopic appendectomy: appendix MALT lymphoma in children

“…Other risk factors for MALT lymphoma include autoimmune diseases like Hashimoto thyroiditis or Sjogren syndrome, and Borrelia burgdorferi for skin lymphoma. A further prerequisite for the development of MALT lymphoma in children may be the presence of HIV infection [17,18]. In some patients no risk factors can be identified.…”

Appendiceal MALT Lymphoma in Childhood - Presentation and Evolution

“…MALT often develops within the context of a pre-existing inflammatory response due to infection or to autoimmune disorder. Many studies show the relationship between H. pylori infection and gastric MALT lymphoma (Isaacson & Whright, 1984;Kurugoglu et al, 2002); some authors have reported a regression of MALT lymphoma in parotid gland (Alkan et al, 1996), lip gland (Berrebi et al, 1998), small intestine (Fischbach et al, 1997) Mo et al, 2004). In some patients no risk factors can be identified.…”

Rare Pediatric Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

“…These lymphomas arise mostly in the gastrointestinal tract and are associated with Helicobacter pylori [41]. A clonal evolution within the B-cell population in response to the infectious process is hypothesized to lead an indolent MALT lymphoma [42]. The long evolution is believed to be a reason for the rarity of MALT lymphomas in children [43].…”

“…The long evolution is believed to be a reason for the rarity of MALT lymphomas in children [43]. MALTs may be due to longstanding chronic infections with H. pylori in stomach lymphomas, Borrelia burgdorferi in skin lymphomas, HIV infection, or autoimmune diseases [42]. MALT lymphomas are morphologically heterogenous.…”