MALT lymphoma

MALT lymphoma is a mucosa -associated non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

MALT

MALT is an acronym for mucosa associated lymphoid tissue (or Mucous membrane associated lymphoid tissue, Eng. Mucosa -associated lymphoid tissue for ). It is found in mucosal areas (including conjunctiva ), the main points of entry for antigens. Here are sensitized lymphocytes, which then migrate to regional lymph nodes and then stimulating in their original ( "homing " ) or to migrate to other mucosal areas, finally there is a strong production of immunoglobulin IgA.

Localization of MALT lymphomas

MALT lymphomas ( predominantly B -cell lymphomas ) occur mostly in the stomach. But you can also in the lung, thyroid, skin, salivary glands, eye or occur elsewhere. Since 1975, a staging of gastrointestinal lymphomas after Musshoff is in use.

Special forms

The primary lymphoma of the stomach are divided into indolent and aggressive forms. The benign forms represent about 40 % of gastric lymphomas and are almost exclusively MALT tumors that can be caused by a long-term infection of the gastric mucosa by the pathogen Helicobacter pylori. Eradication of the pathogen may result in the early stages of the disease for annealing of lymphoma.

Also the Mediterranean lymphoma is counted among the MALT lymphomas.

Swell

• Non -Hodgkin's lymphoma