Primary mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma of the gallbladder: report of a case harboring API2/MALT1 gene fusion

Hum Pathol. 2009 Oct;40(10):1504-9. doi: 10.1016/j.humpath.2009.02.018. Epub 2009 Jun 16.

Abstract

The genetic alterations underlying extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphomas of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue type are heterogeneous and show variation according to the tumor site. Here, we report a case of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma of the gallbladder with genetic characterization. This lymphoma, diagnosed in a 75-year-old woman who underwent cholecystectomy for suspected acute cholecystitis, presented as diffuse thickening of the gallbladder wall. The morphology was typical of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma, and by immunophenotype, the tumor cells were CD20+ CD5- CD10- CD23- CD43- BCL6- BCL2+ IgM+ IgD- lambda+, with moderate nuclear expression of BCL10. Interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis on paraffin sections, using a fusion probe for API2/MALT1, demonstrated 2 fusion signals in most nuclei, bringing the first documentation of a t(11;18)(q21;q21) in this exceptional primary disease location.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Cholecystectomy
  • Female
  • Gallbladder Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Gallbladder Neoplasms / immunology
  • Gallbladder Neoplasms / pathology
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Immunophenotyping
  • In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence
  • Lymphoma, B-Cell, Marginal Zone / genetics*
  • Lymphoma, B-Cell, Marginal Zone / immunology
  • Lymphoma, B-Cell, Marginal Zone / pathology
  • Oncogene Proteins, Fusion / genetics*

Substances

  • API2-MALT1 fusion protein, human
  • Oncogene Proteins, Fusion