Importance of esophagogastroduodenoscopy in the evaluation of non-gastrointestinal mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma

PURPOSE: Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma is an extranodal low-grade B-cell lymphoma that most commonly presents in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. However, it can present in non-GI primary sites. This study was conducted to determine the incidence of gastric involvement in non-GI presentation of MALT lymphoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 36 consecutive patients who presented with non-GI MALT lymphoma and had EGD as a part of the initial staging work-up between 1992 and 2001. RESULTS: The median age was 62 years (range, 27-82); 27 were female patients. The frequency of the primary site was; salivary gland/ parotid gland (N = 14), ocular adnexa (N = 7), lung (N = 3), oral cavity (N = 3), skin (N = 3), thyroid (N = 2), nasopharynx (N = 2), larynx (N = 1), breast (N = 1). Twelve patients were found to have gastric involvement; 2 additional patients progressed in the stomach 5 and 6 months later, respectively. DISCUSSION: Routine evaluation of the stomach should be a part of the initial staging work-up of non-GI MALT lymphoma.