Mass-forming mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma of the cecum treated by laparoscopy-assisted bowel resection

Colonic mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma is very rare, especially those which form a mass. Although the characteristics and treatment methods of gastric MALT lymphomas are well established, those of colonic MALT lymphomas have been insufficiently described. Here, we report a case of mass-forming cecal MALT lymphoma that was successfully treated by laparoscopy-assisted bowel resection. A 60-year-old woman with right lower abdominal pain and a palpable tumor was referred to our hospital. Colonoscopy showed a smooth elevated submucosal tumor-like lesion in the cecum. Histological and immunochemical findings were consistent with MALT lymphoma. Serum tumor marker levels were within normal range. Enhanced abdominal computed tomography showed a large tumor 55 mm in diameter in the cecum and edema of a few paracolic lymph nodes. The tumor was diagnosed as cecal MALT lymphoma classified as stage II1 by Lugano classification, and laparoscopy-assisted ileocecal resection was performed. The postoperative course was uneventful and the patient underwent eradication therapy for Helicobacter pylori. A year after the operation she has had no recurrence. In patients with mass-forming colonic MALT lymphoma without dissemination, surgical resection may be a feasible treatment.