Mucosa-Associated Lymphoid Tissue Clinical Presentation

  • Author: Sara J Grethlein, MD; Chief Editor: Emmanuel C Besa, MD   more...
 
Updated: Dec 6, 2011
 

History

The median age of onset of MALTomas is 65 years. According to some epidemiologic studies, MALTomas are slightly more common in females than in males and are more common in whites than in blacks.

  • Symptoms of MALTomas are nonspecific and are related to the organs involved.
    • Gastric MALToma symptoms may mimic peptic ulcer disease or gastritis.
    • Chronic fatigue, low-grade fevers, nausea, constipation, tarry stool, epigastric pain, weight loss, anemia, and shortness of breath are some of the more nonspecific symptoms that may occur in patients with gastric MALTomas.
    • Recurrent respiratory infections may be observed in some patients, especially in patients with pulmonary MALTomas.
    • Patients with conjunctival MALTomas may present with blurry vision or visual-field defects.
    • Patients with MALTomas often have a history of an associated autoimmune disease.
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Physical

Most patients with MALTomas have no physical findings; lymphadenopathy is rare.

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Causes

Although the cause of MALTomas and most other tumors is still unknown, accumulated evidence indicates a strong association between autoimmune diseases and MALTomas. A clear causal association exists between H. pylori infection and gastric MALTomas.

  • Continued massive antigen stimulation is postulated to represent a critical step in the development and progression of MALTomas.
  • MALTomas of the salivary glands are often associated with Sjogren syndrome.
  • MALTomas of the thyroid are associated with Hashimoto thyroiditis.
  • Crohn disease or celiac disease may be involved in the genesis of intestinal MALTomas.
  • In contrast to weaker etiologic associations, infection with H. pylori has been definitively established as a cause of MALTomas. H. pylori gastritis is common in individuals who develop gastric lymphomas.
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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Sara J Grethlein, MD  Senior Attending Physician, Cancer Treatment Center, Bassett Healthcare Network

Sara J Grethlein, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American College of Physicians, American Society of Clinical Oncology, and American Society of Hematology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Jose A Perez Jr, MD, MBA, MSEd  Consulting Staff, Department of Medicine, Methodist Hospital; Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College

Jose A Perez Jr, MD, MBA, MSEd is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Physician Executives, American College of Physicians, Society of General Internal Medicine, and Society of Hospital Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Karen Seiter, MD  Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Oncology/Hematology, New York Medical College

Karen Seiter, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Association for Cancer Research, American College of Physicians, and American Society of Hematology

Disclosure: Novartis Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Novartis Consulting fee Speaking and teaching; Eisai Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Celgene Honoraria Speaking and teaching

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD  Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Medscape Salary Employment

Troy H Guthrie, Jr, MD  Director of Cancer Institute, Baptist Medical Center

Troy H Guthrie, Jr, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Federation for Medical Research, American Medical Association, American Society of Hematology, Florida Medical Association, Medical Association of Georgia, and Southern Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Rajalaxmi McKenna, MD, FACP  Southwest Medical Consultants, SC, Department of Medicine, Good Samaritan Hospital, Advocate Health Systems

Rajalaxmi McKenna, MD, FACP is a member of the following medical societies: American Society of Clinical Oncology, American Society of Hematology, and International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Emmanuel C Besa, MD  Professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Hematologic Malignancies, Kimmel Cancer Center, Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University

Emmanuel C Besa, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Association for Cancer Education, American College of Clinical Pharmacology, American Federation for Medical Research, American Society of Clinical Oncology, American Society of Hematology, and New York Academy of Sciences

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

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