Vol.97 No.8 contentsPRACTICA OTO-RHINO-LARYNGOLOGICA
Vol. 97 No. 8 August 2004
A Case of MALT Lymphoma in the Subcutaneous
Region of the Cheek
Koji Kudo, Tatsuya Fujiyoshi, Akiko Sakabe,
Hideaki Suzuki and Takamitsu Mizobe
(University of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Medicine)
Takeyuki Fujimura
(Kitakyushu City Yahata Hospital)
MALT lymphoma is characterized as a type of low-grade extranodal B cell lymphoma arising from mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT). It is thought to be associated with autoimmune diseases, e.g., Sjogren's syndrome and Hashimoto's disease, or inflammatory diseases, e.g., Helicobacter pylori infection of the stomach. We report a rare case of MALT lymphoma of the cheek. A 76-year-old woman was referred to our clinic, complaining of swelling of the left cheek. CT and MRI showed a solid mass with a smooth surface in the subcutaneous region of her left cheek. Total resection of the tumor was performed. The tumor was histopathologically diagnosed as MALT lymphoma. No other lesions were detected in systemic examinations. A complete remission was obtained with 4 courses of Rituximab (anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody) therapy and irradiation at 40 Gy. The patient is currently free from disease 21 months after surgery.
Key words : MALT lymphoma, cheek, Rituximab