True histiocytic lymphoma of the stomach associated with low-grade B-cell mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT)-type lymphoma

Abstract

True histiocytic lymphoma is considered a rare entity, and its diagnosis requires the concordance of morphological, immunophenotypic, and molecular findings. The association of malignant lymphoma with tumors in the monocyte-macrophage system has rarely been described. We present a case of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT)-type low-grade B-cell lymphoma of the stomach, contiguous to a large tumoral mass that fulfills the morphological criteria (large cells with abundant pale cytoplasm and lobulated or kidney-shaped nuclei) and immunophenotypical features (human leukocyte antigen-DR locus, CD68, S-100, lysozyme immunoreactivity, and negative B- and T-cell markers) required for the diagnosis of histiocytic lymphoma. The patient remains in complete remission 18 months after surgery. The association of low grade-malignant lymphoma with tumors of monocyte-macrophage system cells is an exceedingly rare phenomenon. Whether these tumors are directly related or occur due to pure chance requires the identification of new cases and further study.