Read article Mucosa associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma
This page tells you about MALT lymphoma. You can find the following information
Mucosa associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma
MALT stands for mucosa associated lymphoid tissue. This means that the lymphoma starts in the mucosa. The mucosa is a moist tissue that lines body organs and cavities including your nose, mouth, lungs, and digestive tract. So, MALT lymphoma starts in the body organs and not in the lymph nodes. These low grade (indolent) lymphomas are most often diagnosed in the stomach. But they can also develop in the lung, thyroid, salivary glands, eye, skin or soft tissues.
Treatment
MALT is a low grade form of lymphoma and usually responds well to treatment. You usually have low doses of radiotherapy or surgery, depending on where it is in the body and on how widespread it is.
In 1 in 3 people, when it is diagnosed the MALT has spread to nearby lymph nodes or, less often, to another body organ. Treatment is then usually with chemotherapy tablets.
MALT lymphoma of the stomach
Most cases of MALT lymphoma of the stomach are linked to a chronic stomach infection called Helicobacter pylori. This infection causes symptoms of indigestion and stomach pain. This type of MALT lymphoma is treated with antibiotics. You often don't need any other treatment.
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MALT stands for mucosa associated lymphoid tissue. This means that the lymphoma starts in the mucosa. The mucosa are the moist tissues that line some organs and body cavities, including your nose, mouth, lungs, and digestive tract. So, MALT lymphoma starts in the body organs and not in the lymph nodes. These low grade (indolent) lymphomas are most often diagnosed in the stomach. But they can also develop in the lung, thyroid, salivary glands, eye, skin or soft tissues. It is most often diagnosed in people in their 60s. But can be found in people in their 20s or 30s.
Many people diagnosed with MALT lymphoma of the salivary gland have had an autoimmune disease called Sjogren’s syndrome. Similarly, people with thyroid MALT may have had a similar condition of the thyroid called Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.
MALT lymphoma is usually slow growing. Most people have early stage (localised) disease when they are diagnosed. The outlook is good, even when the disease is quite widespread.
MALT is a low grade form of lymphoma and usually responds well to treatment. You usually have low doses of radiotherapy or surgery to remove it. The treatment depends on where the lymphoma is in the body and how widespread it is.
In some people, the MALT has spread to nearby lymph nodes or, less often, to another body organ when it is diagnosed. The treatment is then the same as for a low grade follicular lymphoma, usually with chemotherapy tablets.
Your doctor may call this gastric MALT. Most cases of MALT lymphoma of the stomach are linked to a chronic stomach infection caused by the bacteria Helicobacter pylori. This infection causes inflammation of the stomach lining, with symptoms of indigestion and stomach pain.
MALT lymphoma of the stomach is treated with antibiotics. This is very successful at shrinking the lymphoma. But we don’t yet know if this is a permanent cure. So your doctor will keep a close eye on you for some years after successful treatment. You will have an endoscopy about 3 to 6 months after the antibiotic treatment has finished. The endoscopy is to make sure the lymphoma has not come back. You may then continue to have regular endoscopies for a while.
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