EARLY DIAGNOSIS OF ORAL MALT LYMPHOMA

Abstract

Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma (MALT) is a subtype of Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma that affects the oral mucosa with a rapid and indolent course. A 61-year-old female was referred for evaluation, complaining of a swelling below the tongue lasting 4 months. The patient reported no present systemic diseases. Physical examination revealed a painless floating swelling on the floor of the mouth, covered by an intact smooth normal oral mucosa. Clinical diagnosis included sialolithiasis and ranula, and an excisional biopsy was performed. Histological examination revealed a proliferation of lymphoid cells suggestive of lymphoma, and additional immunohistochemical analysis confirmed the diagnosis of MALT lymphoma. The patient was referred for specific medical management and is under clinical follow-up. The present case emphasizes the importance of considering malignancies in the differential diagnosis of lesions that clinically mimic benign reactive conditions. Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma (MALT) is a subtype of Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma that affects the oral mucosa with a rapid and indolent course. A 61-year-old female was referred for evaluation, complaining of a swelling below the tongue lasting 4 months. The patient reported no present systemic diseases. Physical examination revealed a painless floating swelling on the floor of the mouth, covered by an intact smooth normal oral mucosa. Clinical diagnosis included sialolithiasis and ranula, and an excisional biopsy was performed. Histological examination revealed a proliferation of lymphoid cells suggestive of lymphoma, and additional immunohistochemical analysis confirmed the diagnosis of MALT lymphoma. The patient was referred for specific medical management and is under clinical follow-up. The present case emphasizes the importance of considering malignancies in the differential diagnosis of lesions that clinically mimic benign reactive conditions.