Ocular Follicular Lymphoma with Marginal Zone Differentiation: A Diagnostic Pitfall Mimicking MALT Lymphoma
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Case Report
Abstract: Follicular lymphoma with marginal zone differentiation (FL with MZD) is a rare variant that mimics mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma. A 64-year-old woman presented with a conjunctival mass that was initially diagnosed as MALT lymphoma. Staging revealed additional pelvic and subcutaneous lesions in the patient. Although a needle biopsy of the pelvic mass showed monocytoid B cells lacking germinal center markers, an excisional subcutaneous biopsy demonstrated follicular dendritic cell networks, germinal center marker positivity, and aberrant BCL2 expression. IgH-BCL2 fusion was detected in all lesions, confirming the diagnosis of FL with MZD. This case highlights the need for integrated clinicopathological and cytogenetic evaluations with adequate tissue sampling to make an accurate diagnosis.
Source: Internal Medicine
Authors: Takashi Miyachi, Akihiro Kitadate, Wataru Kuroki, Takeshi Iwase, Katsuyoshi Takata, Naoto Takahashi
Institutions: Akita University, University of Toyama
Language: English
Subfield: Pathology and Forensic Medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7169495846