A lymphoid conjunctival tumor--clinical aspects; therapeutical options

A female woman, 34 years old, having a history of 10 years of conjunctival allergy, came to our Clinic for a pale pink mass lesion, occupying both the upper and the lower fornices. The therapeutical and also investigational approach was to excise all suspected tissue and to biopsy to determine if benign or malignant (clinically indistinguishable). The conjunctival biopsy revealed a non-Hodgkin malignant conjunctival MALT lymphoma. A complete medical check-up performed by a hematologist-oncologist confirmed that the disease was localized. In this case, of ocular adnexal MALT lymphoma with localised disease, we took into account local treatment: external beam radiation therapy, topical use of chemotherapy agents and biologic therapy (subconjunctival injections with interferon-alpha). Systemic chemotherapy was avoided. Interesting results were obtained with