Incidental presentation of gall bladder MALT lymphoma

J Gastrointest Cancer. 2011 Mar;42(1):61-4. doi: 10.1007/s12029-010-9162-z.

Abstract

Background: Primary lymphomas of mucosa associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) within the gall bladder are exceedingly rare and may have an incidental presentation.

Case report: We report a case of gall bladder MALT lymphoma diagnosed after cholecystectomy in a 65-year old woman.

Conclusion: Normally the gall bladder is devoid of lymphoid tissue; however, it has been suggested that MALT lymphomas may occur secondary to chronic cholecystitis with cholelithiasis or bacterial infection based on similar mechanism as described previously in the stomach and conjunctiva. Surgical resection is considered curative if the disease is localised only to the gall bladder.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Cholecystectomy
  • Female
  • Gallbladder Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Lymphoma, B-Cell, Marginal Zone / pathology*
  • Neoplasms, Multiple Primary / pathology*
  • Prognosis