Current Oncology (Jan 2023)

CD5-Negative Primary Mantle Cell Lymphoma Presenting with a Bilateral Conjunctival Mass: A Potential Diagnostic Pitfall

  • Magda Zanelli,
  • Alberto Lugli,
  • Andrea Palicelli,
  • Francesca Sanguedolce,
  • Maurizio Zizzo,
  • Camilla Cresta,
  • Samuele Biancafarina,
  • Giovanni Martino,
  • Barbara Crescenzi,
  • Saverio Pancetti,
  • Giuseppe Broggi,
  • Rosario Caltabiano,
  • Luca Cimino,
  • Cristina Mecucci,
  • Stefano Ascani

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/curroncol30010062
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 30, no. 1
pp. 824 – 831

Abstract

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Mantle cell lymphoma is a B-cell malignancy, which, in its classic form, usually involves lymph nodes and extranodal sites, and, among the extranodal sites, the gastrointestinal tract and the Waldeyer’s ring are most prevalent. MCL is rarely reported in the ocular adnexa, a site more frequently affected by extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue, which is a form of low-grade malignancy. The diagnosis of MCL presenting in the ocular adnexa requires special attention as its rarity in this location combined with the not uncommon CD5 negativity of the disease when occurring in the ocular adnexa, may lead the pathologist to overlook the diagnosis and misinterpret MCL as marginal zone B cell lymphoma, which has a totally different behavior. Herein, we present a case of primary bilateral conjunctival CD5-negative MCL in a patient having no other sites affected by lymphoma and we discuss possible diagnostic pitfalls.

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