Conjunctival Lymphoma
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The most prevalent malignant tumors of the conjunctiva tumors include ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN) (14%), melanoma (12%), and lymphoma (7%) 1Lymphomas are a malignant neoplasm derived from monoclonal proliferations of B or T lymphocytes. They are derived into 2 major groups, Hodgkin’s lymphoma and Non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas, named after the British pathologist Dr. Thomas Hodgkin, (1798-1866). Conjunctival lymphomas make up about ¼ of all ocular adnexal lymphomas, with nearly all (98%) of B-cell lineage. (ref)
Conjunctival lymphoma may arise de novo, by extension from orbital lymphoma or associated with systemic lymphoma at diagnosis (up to 30%).
▪️Most conjunctival lymphomas are of B-cell origin, arising from mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) and tending to be indolent. Lymphoma accounts for about 7% of all conjunctival tumours.
▪️Diagnosis of Conjunctival lymphoma:
➖Symptoms: Painless swelling, redness or irritation (which is often bilateral when systemic disease is more likely). Other possible symptoms include ptosis and diplopia.
➖Signs: A slowly growing salmon-pink or flesh-coloured mobile infiltrate is seen on the epibulbar surface or in the fornices. Rarely, a diffuse lesion may mimic chronic conjunctivitis.
➖Biopsy is taken to confirm diagnosis. The uninvolved eye should also be biopsied (inferior fornix).
➖Investigation for systemic involvement.
Credit: Kanski Clinical Ophthalmology.
Photo credit: aaoantseg.
