Spontaneous regression of intraoral mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma: molecular study of a case.

Abstract

Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma presentation in the oral cavity is very rare. Reported herein is a case of intraoral MALT lymphoma of the minor salivary gland in a 70-year-old woman with Sjogren's syndrome. Unexpectedly, a spontaneous clinically and histologically confirmed regression occurred 1 month after the tumor biopsy for diagnosis. Considering that salivary MALT lymphoma is associated with Sjogren's syndrome and that the chronic inflammation caused by Sjogren's syndrome persisted, it is hypothesized that the tumor clone might be present in the regressed lesion. Minimal residual tumor clone identical with the primary lesion was detected using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) clonality assay for immunoglobulin heavy chain gene (IgH) rearrangement. No recurrence was clinically evident 38 months after the diagnosis. Spontaneous regression of MALT lymphoma should be examined at the molecular level in addition to clinical and histological evaluations. When minimal residual disease is detected, close follow up is necessary for early detection of the tumor relapse.

• Authors: Hidenori Sakuma, Mitsukuni Okabe, Motoo Yokoi, Tadaaki Eimoto, Hiroshi Inagaki
• Journal: Pathology international (Pathol Int) Vol. 56 Issue 6 Pg. 331-5 (Jun 2006) ISSN: 1320-5463 [Print] Australia
• PMID: 16704497 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• API2-MALT1 fusion protein, human
• DNA, Neoplasm
• Oncogene Proteins, Fusion

Topics

• Aged
• Clone Cells (pathology)
• DNA, Neoplasm (analysis)
• Female
• Gene Rearrangement, B-Lymphocyte, Heavy Chain (genetics, immunology)
• Humans
• Lymphoma, B-Cell, Marginal Zone (genetics, immunology, pathology)
• Neoplasm Regression, Spontaneous (genetics, immunology, pathology)
• Neoplasm, Residual (genetics, immunology, pathology)
• Oncogene Proteins, Fusion (genetics)
• Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
• Salivary Gland Neoplasms (genetics, immunology, pathology)
• Salivary Glands, Minor (immunology, pathology)