MALToma

Excerpt

The neoplastic proliferation of B cells in the marginal zone of lymphoid tissue gives rise to marginal zone B cell lymphomas. B cells can also proliferate in a neoplastic manner in extranodal sites in the mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT), which is present along the mucosal linings in the human body. The stomach is the most frequently involved organ. Other commonly involved extranodal sites include other parts of the gastrointestinal tract, thyroid, salivary gland, lung, lacrimal gland, synovium, dura mater, breast, skin, and eyes. MALToma occurs equally in men and women. Men usually have MALToma of the stomach, small intestine, kidney, and skin, whereas, in women, MALToma more commonly presents in the thyroid, soft tissues, and skin. Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma is the term used for extranodal marginal zone lymphoma and is referred to as MALToma.