M a r g i n a l Z o n e L y m p h o m a
General
The term "marginal zone lymphoma" encompasses a bunch of lymphomas including MALT (mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue) lymphoma, monocytoid B-cell lymphoma, and splenic lymphoma with villous lymphocytes (SLVL).
Immunophenotype
B-cell.
Morphology
• Pattern: Early on, follicular (recapitulating marginal zones of spleen).
Later, becomes diffuse.
• Cytology: Variety of cell types present (from small lymphocytes to
monocytoid B cells with lots of cytoplasm).
MALT lymphoma
• Most commonly occurs in stomach (but can occur anywhere there is
mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue).
• Usually stays localized.
• In stomach, strongly associated with Helicobacter pylori infection (and may
even go away with antibiotics!).
