Primary Pulmonary MALT Lymphoma: An Unusual Cause of Non-resolving Pneumonia
Shan Kai ING *
Division of Respiratory Medicine, Department of Medicine, Sibu General Hospital, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Sibu, Sarawak, Malaysia.
Yih Hoong LEE
Division of Respiratory Medicine, Department of Medicine, Sibu General Hospital, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Sibu, Sarawak, Malaysia.
Khai Fatt CHAO
Division of Respiratory Medicine, Department of Medicine, Sibu General Hospital, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Sibu, Sarawak, Malaysia.
Nga Hung NGU
Division of Respiratory Medicine, Department of Medicine, Sibu General Hospital, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Sibu, Sarawak, Malaysia.
Xin Yee TAN
Department of Medicine, Sibu General Hospital, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Sibu, Sarawak, Malaysia.
Antony K.
Department of Radiology, Sibu General Hospital, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Sibu, Sarawak, Malaysia.
Teresa Fuh Guang CHUA
Department of Pathology, Sarawak General Hospital, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia.
Sze Shyang KHO
Division of Respiratory Medicine, Department of Medicine, Sarawak General Hospital, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia.
Siew Teck TIE
Division of Respiratory Medicine, Department of Medicine, Sarawak General Hospital, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia.
Tze Shin LEONG
Division of Haematology, Department of Medicine, Sarawak General Hospital, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia.
Lee Ping CHEW
Division of Haematology, Department of Medicine, Sarawak General Hospital, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma is a rare type of extranodal, low-grade B-cell lymphoma. Pulmonary MALT lymphoma is particularly uncommon and typically progresses slowly. Patients often present with asymptomatic, chronic alveolar opacities detected on chest radiographs or exhibit non-specific respiratory symptoms. In this report, we discuss the case of a male patient in his late 60s who experienced persistent cough for one year following a diagnosed episode of pneumonia. Chest radiography revealed large area of consolidation in the right lung, which was further confirmed by computed tomography (CT) showing extensive consolidation involving right upper, middle and lower lobes. Histopathological analysis of a transbronchial lung biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of MALT lymphoma. However, the patient was not keen on chemotherapy and therefore only received corticosteroid therapy. This case underscores the importance of considering MALT lymphoma as a potential diagnosis in patients with non-resolving lung consolidation.
Keywords: Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue, pneumonia, MALT lymphoma, diagnosis