Ocular adnexal marginal zone lymphoma: Clinical presentation, pathogenesis, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment

Abstract

Ocular adnexal marginal zone lymphoma (OAML) represents 1-2% of all non Hodgkin lymphomas. In the last few years many advances in understanding the pathogenesis and the molecular basis involved in its development have been done. Many potential risk factors have been proposed; a dysregulation of immune response in association with a chronic antigenic stimulation, have been hypothesized as possible pathogenic mechanism. In particular, Chlamydia psittaci infection has been related to OAML arising, and eradicating antibiotic therapy has been addressed as a safe and cost-effective approach. Management of OAML is still heterogeneous and matter of debate. There is no consensus about the best upfront treatment and therapeutic decision should take into account several patient-, lymphoma- and treatment-related factors. Novel agents and chemotherapy-free strategies are being investigated to reduce side effects and improve tumor control. This review is focused in recent knowledge improvements in this lymphoma.

Keywords: Chlamydia psittaci; Conjunctival lymphoma; Doxycycline; Lymphomagenesis; MALT lymphoma; Ocular adnexa.