MALT lymphoma of the tongue: An unusual site that may present a diagnostic challenge

Extranodal marginal zone lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT lymphoma) is a low-grade B cell lymphoma that can affect any organ, usually preceded by acquisition of MALT in response to antigenic stimulus provided by infections or autoimmune diseases. Most often, MALT lymphoma involves the stomach (about 35% of cases), followed by the ocular adnexal region, skin, lungs, and salivary glands, but virtually any extranodal site can be involved. MALT lymphomas are less common at sites of normal MALT tissue, such as Waldeyer ring and the ileocecal region of the gastrointestinal tract. Lymphomas involving the tongue are extremely rare and represent approximately 3% of all lymphomas involving the head and neck region. In this study, we discuss potentially challenging diagnostic aspects of MALT lymphoma involving the tongue and review and summarize the available literature about this topic.