Primary B-Cell Mucosa-Associated Lymphoid Tissue Lymphoma of the Hard Palate and Parotid Gland: Report of One Case and Review of the Literature

Abstract

A 61-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with an ulcerated palate mass and swelling of the right parotid gland. Incisional biopsy from the hard palate revealed an extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma, also called mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma. Final diagnosis was MALT lymphoma of the parotid gland with concomitant involvement of an extremely seldom site of involvement: the hard palate. To our knowledge, this report illustrates the first case of MALT lymphoma of the hard palate and parotid gland without an underlying autoimmune disease. Rituximab-based combination regimen (R-CHOP) provided complete remission with total regression of mass lesions at the hard palate and parotid gland. At 44-month follow-up, there is no disease relapse. We adressed the manifestations and management of MALT lymphoma patients with involvement of salivary gland and oral cavity.

Mucosa-Associated Lymphoid Tissue Lymphoma of the Sublingual Salivary Gland: A Case Report

“…However, MALT lymphomas can turn into aggressive diffuse large B-cell lymphomas and the survival rate decreases sharply [ 5 , 11 ]. Moreover, salivary gland tissues normally do not involve lymphocytes and contain them during inflammation [ 12 ].…”

“…The clinical picture of Sjogren’s syndrome combines symptoms of dryness of the mucosa in many parts of the body, fatigue, and arthralgia in almost all patients [ 11 ]. MALT lymphomas affect salivary glands in the context of lymphoid tissue hyperplasia associated with chronic inflammatory conditions [ 12 , 13 , 15 ]. Diet, smoking, alcohol consumption, genetic predisposition, occupational and environmental factors are also of high importance in the development of lymphomas [ 16 ].…”

Imaging of head and neck mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma (MALToma)

“…Again, they are usually indolent but they may present with symptoms of luminal obstruction [ 57 ]. MALToma may also arise in minor salivary gland tissues in the head and neck such as in the palate [ 58 ]. The imaging features are similar to those described above.…”