Lymphoma presenting as subcutaneous periorbital nodules

Abstract

A 67-year-old female presented with a several month history of painless enlarging right periorbital growths. Examination showed multiple nontender subcutaneous nodules superior to the right eyebrow. Magnetic resonance imaging and incisional biopsy confirmed subcutaneous marginal zone B-cell lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT). Subcutaneous involvement sparing the epidermis is a rare presentation in patients with prior noncutaneous marginal zone lymphomas. Recent studies have demonstrated that subcutaneous dissemination is associated with MALT lymphoma of the breast and ocular adnexa. Systemic workup is therefore critical in patients who present with subcutaneous MALT lymphoma. Radiation therapy has proven to be effective in cutaneous marginal zone B-cell lymphomas.

Keywords

• lymphoma
• mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue
• subcutaneous