Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma in the conjunctiva of a child

Marginal zone lymphoma of the mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) occurring in the conjunctiva has yet not been described in pediatric patients. We present a case of a 10-year-old girl with a MALT lymphoma involving the conjunctiva. The tumor consisted of plasma cells and marginal zone cells with discrete epitheliotropism. Immunohistochemical studies revealed positivity for CD20 and cytoplasmic immunoglobulin lambda light chain restriction. Polymerase chain reaction-based molecular analysis of the infiltrate showed a monoclonal rearrangement for the hypervariable complimentary determining region III immunoglobulin region; whereas, a polyclonal pattern was seen for the T-cell receptor gamma chain. Extensive further examination, including molecular techniques, revealed that the lymphoma was restricted to the conjunctiva (stage IA) and was not associated with any specific infection. The patient was treated with surgery and additional local cryotherapy. After 15 months of follow-up, the patient remains in complete remission.