Pulmonary mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma- A single center review of the diagnostic approach

Pulmonary mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma is a rare disease, and diagnosis is difficult, often requiring multiple attempts at tissue sampling. The aim of this review was to evaluate the diagnostic pathway. A retrospective review was performed of patients diagnosed with pulmonary MALT lymphoma in a tertiary referral lung cancer center over 9 years. Ten patients were identified, and each diagnostic and treatment approach was analysed. 30% were diagnosed via transbronchial biopsy, two with the assistance of radial probe ultrasound guidance and one with transbronchial lung cryobiopsy of a predetermined CT-guided targeted segment. 70% were diagnosed following surgical biopsy. 40% had localized disease. The diagnosis was not successfully achieved until a large-sized tissue specimen was obtained. The implementation of novel bronchoscopy techniques can assist in reducing the number of invasive surgical procedures required to obtain a diagnosis. All cases should be discussed in a multidisciplinary setting prior to diagnostic attempts