A 58-year-old Chinese female who was a retired doctor presented in October 2010 with a history of progressive hoarseness for about 10 months. The patient did not suffer from fever, night sweat, or weight loss. Multiple laryngoscopy examinations in other hospitals revealed severe hypertrophy of left ventricular band. As Figure showed, the left ventricular band and laryngeal ventricle bulged with smooth surface, covering most of the left vocal cord. Her past history was remarkable for rheumatoid arthritis and Sjogren syndrome for many years. Her family and psychosocial history was unremarkable. Partial resection of tumor by laser in another hospital was performed and hoarseness relieved significantly. The postoperative pathology demonstrated neoplastic cells invaded adjacent epithelial cells, forming lymphoepithelial lesion (Figure ). The immunohistochemical results showed CD3 and CD20 (focally+), κ(diffusely +), λ(−), Ki-67(5–10%). Therefore, the patient was diagnosed as non-Hodgkin MALT marginal zone B-cell lymphoma.\nOn physical examination, no enlarged superficial lymph nodes were palpated. Laboratory investigations showed a normal complete blood cell count and a generally normal serum biochemical profile. Lactate dehydrogenase was normal. β-2 Microglobulin was 2.47 mg/L (0.7–1.8 mg/L). Erythrocyte sedimentation rate was 41 mm/h (10–20 mm/h). The subsequent thoracic computed tomography (CT) and ultrasound for bilateral neck, armpit, and groin did not reveal any enlarged lymph node. Gastroscopy showed chronic nonatrophic gastritis. The bone marrow aspiration did not find neoplastic involvement. Thus, an MALT lymphoma of larynx, Ann Arbor stage IEA, International Prognostic Index score 0, was diagnosed.\nOne month after surgery, the patient was admitted to our department. Laryngoscopy demonstrated that there was a red mucosa uplift in the left ventricular band, and bilateral vocal cords were normal. The throat CT scan also revealed the front part of left ventricular band was more hypertrophy than its right counterpart (Figure ). All these findings were consistent with residual tumor. Then irradiation of 7-field intensity modulated radiotherapy technique with a dose of 30.6 Gy/17f to the tumor and 25.5 Gy/17f to the related lymphatic drainage area was carried out. The side effects were mild. The repeated laryngoscopy when she finished radiotherapy showed the tumor disappeared. Radiotherapy alone achieved a complete remission (CR) response. Until now, her condition remains stable and the DFS has reached to 4 years.
A 65-year-old Caucasian gentleman, with a history of ischaemic heart disease, presented to ENT with a two-month history of hoarseness. Physical examination was unremarkable, with no lymphadenopathy or organomegaly. Investigations showed a white blood count of 5.7 × 109/L, haemoglobin of 148 g/L, platelets of 213 × 109/L, and a normal serum lactate dehydrogenase level of 192 U/L.\nIndirect laryngoscopy showed vocal polyps, which were excised. Histology showed a monotonous population of lymphoid cells within the lamina propria of mucosal polyps, with slightly irregular nuclear contours and inconspicuous to clear cytoplasm. Immunohistochemistry was positive for CD45, CD20, and bcl2 and negative for CD5, CD23, bcl6, CD138, CD43, CD10, and cyclin D1 (), consistent with a diagnosis of extranodal marginal zone (low-grade) non-Hodgkin lymphoma.\nStaging with computed tomography and bone marrow aspiration and biopsy showed no evidence of disease involvement outside of the larynx.\nThe patient was managed with involved field radiotherapy to the larynx with clinical resolution of symptoms and no radiological evidence of residual disease. He remains alive and well 5 years later.