A rare form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that develops in the lining of the abdomen (gastric MALT) is called MALT lymphoma. Sometimes, it is called extranodal marginal zone lymphoma, and it may also develop in the lungs, skin, thyroid, salivary gland, or near the eye (non-gastric MALT). While doctors can put this type of cancer in remission, it may recur.
Generally, this type of cancer accounts for about 7% of all non-Hodgkin lymphomas. According to the American Cancer Society, about 80,000 people were diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 2023.
Symptoms
Usually, people with MALT lymphoma experience different symptoms because they depend on where the tumor develops. Moreover, all MALT lymphomas appear in the mucosa (mucous membrane) that lines all organs and cavities throughout the body.
Gastric MALT Lymphoma Symptoms
- Heartburn
- Indigestion
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Gastrointestinal bleeding
- Unusual weight loss
Non-gastric MALT Lymphoma Symptoms
In such cases, the cancer may develop in the eyes, lungs, salivary glands, skin, and thyroid gland. Check some general symptoms below:
- Drooping eyelids
- Irritated or reddened eyes
- Swelling
- Double vision
- Dyspnea (shortness of breath)
- Chest pain
- Cough
- Swelling in the glands located under the chin, in the mouth, or in front of the ears
- Lumps under the skin
- Pink, purple, or red patches on the skin
When MALT lymphoma develops in the thyroid gland, people usually experience symptoms similar to hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid gland). These include extreme tiredness, dry skin, weight gain, and increased sensitivity to cold. However, if any of the previous symptoms occur, immediately contact your healthcare professional.
Causes and Risk Factors
There are multiple causes of MALT lymphoma. For instance, people with bacterial or viral infections and autoimmune disorders mostly develop MALT lymphoma. For example:
- Bacteria and viruses – These include H. pylori infection, Achromobacter xylosoxidans, Campylobacter jejuni, Borrelia burgdorferi, and C. psittiaci are often associated with MALT lymphoma.
- Autoimmune disorders – Some people may develop non-gastric MALT lymphomas due to the following conditions. These include Hashimoto’s disease and Sjogren’s syndrome.
Healthcare providers have identified some factors that could increase your risk of developing MALT infections. Examples include:
- Age – It often affects older adults (over 65 years old).
- Genetics – The risk of developing MALT lymphoma significantly increases in people with certain genetic variations. Some of them include the HLA gene and NOD2/CARD15 gene mutations.
- Sex – Men are more prone to MALT lymphomas than women.
- Family history – If you have a parent or sibling with a MALT lymphoma, your risk of developing it significantly increases.
- Frequent bacterial or viral infections
- Some autoimmune disorders
What Are The Potential Complications of MALT Lymphoma?
People who develop this type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma may also experience some complications, especially if the cancer is found in advanced stages or the affected person does not get treatment. Check some examples below:
- Stomach/Gut – Abdominal pain, bloating, reflux, or diarrhea
- Eyes – Ptosis, bulging eyes, double vision, discharge, or pain
- Lungs – Trouble breathing, chest pain, coughing up blood, and others
- Thyroid – Hoarseness, neck lump, swallowing problems, and others
- Skin – Red, purple, or pink patches on the skin that often appear on the arms, chest, or back
- Treatment complications – These include hair loss, an increased risk of infection, sores, bruises, bleeding, fertility problems, tumor lysis syndrome (TLS), neuropathy, and others
This article does not contain a complete list of MALT lymphoma complications. In any case, you can talk with your physician about measures to reduce the risk or even prevent them.
How to Prevent MALT Lymphoma?
Healthcare providers do not know how to prevent this type of cancer. However, some studies suggested that avoiding H. pylori infections may significantly reduce the risk of developing gastric MALT lymphomas.
Diagnosis
Usually, the diagnosis of MALT lymphomas begins with a physical examination in which doctors will check for abnormalities linked to the cancer. Thereafter, they may also ask some questions about your symptoms and family history to gather more information about your disease. However, to confirm or rule out a MALT lymphoma, physicians perform the following tests and procedures. For example:
- Blood tests – including CBC (complete blood count), LDH (lactate dehydrogenase), CMP (comprehensive metabolic panel), or hepatitis C test.
- Biopsy – Doctors often perform a biopsy of the bone marrow. To perform this test, doctors often take a sample of the bone marrow to examine it under a microscope to check for cancerous cells. The sample is often taken by doctors during an upper endoscopy.
- Imaging tests – The following tests are often performed by doctors to get detailed images of different parts of the body. Usually, they perform CT (computerized tomography) scans and PET (positron emission tomography) scans.
- Laboratory tests – During these tests, doctors often examine tissue or cancer cells. They often perform the H. pylori test and flow cytometry.
Once you are diagnosed with MALT lymphoma, doctors may perform additional imaging tests to determine the stage (extent) of the cancer. It helps make the best treatment plan for you.
Treatment
Most of the time, doctors prescribe different treatments for people who develop MALT lymphomas. It often depends on the type, location, and stage of the cancer, overall health, age, gender, and preferences. For instance, some studies suggest that antibiotics may clear some early-stage gastric MALT lymphomas. Check below some treatments often recommended by doctors for people with MALT lymphomas:
- Watchful waiting – If you are diagnosed with MALT lymphoma but do not experience any symptoms, doctors may not recommend any treatment and monitor the condition.
- Antibiotics – Doctors recommend these medicines when you develop MALT lymphoma due to H. pylori bacteria. Sometimes, antibiotics can cure this type of cancer.
- Radiation therapy – This treatment involves powerful energy beams that are delivered to the tumor to destroy it. This energy comes from X-rays or protons, but may also come from other sources.
- Monoclonal antibody therapy – This therapy is often recommended by doctors for people who do not respond to radiation therapy or who have non-gastric MALT lymphoma.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can MALT lymphoma be cured?
The only way to cure early-stage gastric MALT lymphoma is with antibiotics. However, the cancer may return over time.
What is the survival rate?
About 88% of people with this type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma are alive for at least 5 years after diagnosis, according to some research. For more details, discuss it with your doctor.
How fast does MALT lymphoma spread?
In most cases, the tumor grows very slowly and does not cause noticeable symptoms. Sometimes, this type of cancer is found during tests done for other reasons. If you have additional questions, ask your healthcare provider.
