Primary Thyroid Maltoma: A Rare Case Report

Abstract

Primary thyroid lymphoma is very rare. It is defined as lymphoma involving the thyroid gland or the gland and regional lymph nodes with no metastasis of other areas at the time of diagnosis [1]. Primary involvement of thyroid is very rare, and it usually arises in immunologically abnormal gland in background of lymphocytic thyroiditis [2]. Malignant lymphoma constitutes 1%-3.5% of all the thyroid malignancies [3]. Extra nodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma mucosa associated lymphoid tissue (MALT Type) usually occurs in mucosa of gastrointestinal tract. They may arise in salivary glands, lungs, skin and another site including thyroid. Because of the coexistence of neoplastic and reactive processes in thyroid, there may be difficulty in diagnosing maltoma using cytology and histology. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) and flowcytometry techniques are required to confirm the diagnosis of maltoma [2].