Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is known to have systemic dissemination with poor prognosis, but very few cases have been reported in Korea. Therefore, we analyzed clinical features and prognosis of MCL by comparing 3 cases of ocular adnexal MCL and mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma.

The medical records of patients with ocular adnexal MALT lymphoma and MCL from Chungnam National University Hospital and Pusan National University Hospital from January 1999 to April 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. Immunohistochemical examination was selectively used to diagnose lymphoma subtypes. Systemic dissemination, treatment response, and recurrence were identified using radiological testing and bone marrow aspiration.

This study included 39 patients with ocular and ocular adnexal MALT lymphoma and 1 patient with MCL from Chungnam National University Hospital and 53 patients with MALT lymphoma and 2 patients with MCL from Pusan National University Hospital. All 3 (100%) patients diagnosed with ocular adnexal MCL were over 60 years of age. However, 28 of 92 (30.4%) patients diagnosed with MALT lymphoma were over 60 years of age. In MALT lymphoma, 3 of 92 patients presented with systemic dissemination and most patients recovered with radiotherapy. Conversely, all 3 patients with MCL showed systemic dissemination and recurrence after radiotherapy or chemotherapy, therefore, additional chemotherapy was required.

Contrary to MALT lymphoma, ocular and ocular adnexal MCL usually presented with systemic dissemination and complete remission was difficult even though many regimens of chemotherapy were attempted. Because MCL can be misdiagnosed as MALT lymphoma, careful evaluation should be performed.