Primary mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma of hypopharynx

Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphomas are low-grade B-cell lymphomas that arise from a number of extranodal sites, including both nonmucosal and mucosal organs such as the hypopharynx. We reported a patient with a primary hypopharynx mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma presenting with a swallowing dysfunction and severe throat pain. The clinical, radiologic, and histopathologic findings are presented. The patient was followed up for 5 years and treated with nonspecific antibiotics, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Because of prevertebral fascia invasion at the initial presentation, surgical treatment was not preferred. The last biopsies of the hypopharynx revealed no evidence of lymphoid infiltrate. Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma involving the hypopharynx is rare and there is no consensus on its treatment. The treatment protocol is presented and the relevant literature is reviewed.