Eyelid tumor as a recurrence of a gastric MALT lymphoma

Background: MALT Lymphoma of the conjunctiva, eyelid and orbit represents a primary manifestation of the disease in most of the cases. Case report: A 58-year-old male presented with a tumor in the left inferior eyelid, A full-thickness incisional biopsy was performed. Histopathologica lly, a lymphoid infiltrate involved the eyelid in its full width, with reac tive follicles surrounded by small cells with irregular nucleus. Follicular colonization and lymphoepithelial lesions were detected, The tumor was CD2 0 positive, The molecular genetic analysis disclosed a monoclonal B-cell pr oliferation. The patient had a history of gastric MALT lymphoma treated 9 y ears ago and he had been otherwise in good health. The histopathologic feat ures of the gastric tumor were identical to those of the eyelid lesion, Sin ce the eyelid tumor represented a recurrence of the disease, treatment cons isted of systemic chemotherapy. Complete tumor eradication was obtained. Conclusion: Ocular adnexal MALT-lymphomas may represent a recurrence of a d istant primary MALT-lymphoma after a long disease-free period and, therefor e, be an indication for systemic chemotherapy.