Clinicopathological Findings and Genetical Analysis in Patients With Primary Conjunctival Malignant Lymphoma

Abstract

Abstract: : Purpose: Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma is a recently well-recognized form of malignant lymphoma originated from marginal zone B cells (memory B cells). Conjunctiva and lacrimal gland are known to be one of tissues which frequently suffered from MALT lymphoma. We present herein clinicopathological findings and molecular analysis in 8 patients (from 1998 to 2001) with MALT lymphoma in the conjunctiva. Methods: Tumor tissue resected surgically was examined by histopathological and immunohistochemical studies. Tissue flow cytometry and molecular analysis including Southern blot were performed. In addition, conjunctival tissue resected surgically from 5 patients with no relation to tumor was used as control. Results: Tumor was present within or near the fornix in the conjunctiva which appeared to be salmon pink color. Histopathological examination revealed an intense infiltration of monocytoid lymphoid cell with lymphoepithelial lesions in many areas. The tumor cells were positive for B cell markers immunohistochemically. Tissue flow cytometry revealed the tumor cells were negative for CD5 and CD10. Southern blot analysis disclosed rearrangement of immune globulin. No abnormal infiltration of lymphocytes was identified in conjunctiva and no evidence for rearrangement of immune globulin was present in the control cases. All patients were performed adjuvant local radiation therapy and free of disease. Conclusion: MALT lymphoma in the conjunctiva is a unique and interesting maligant tumor and has similar features of pathological and genetical findings to those of MALT lymphoma in the other organs.

Keywords: 507 pathology: human • 496 oncology • 365 conjunctiva