MALT is the result of proliferation and differentiation of B lymphocytes in association with mucosal epithelium.
In normal cases MALT is found predominately in Waldeyer’s ring and in ileal Peyer’s patches.
Organized concentrated lymphoid tissue is not found in normal gastric mucosa or in normal salivary or thyroid gland tissue, although these tissues are common sites of MALT lymphoma. In these cases the lymphoma is typically preceded by a proliferation of MALT in a background of chronic inflammation or an autoimmune process.
Loclaization
salivary MALT
bronchial MALT (BATL bronchi-associated lymphoid tissue)
digestive MALT
- intestinal MALT
Pathology
MALT hyperplasia
MALT lymphomas (MALTomas or extranodal marginal-zone B-cell lymphomas)