Bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue lymphomas

BACKGROUND:: Bronchus-associated Lymphoid Tissue (BALT) lymphomas are a rare type of extranodal marginal zone lymphomas. They comprise 1% of lymphomas and more than two-thirds of all primary non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) of the lung. BALT lymphomas arise from the bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue. METHODS:: This report describes five cases of BALT lymphoma and discusses the pathogenesis, diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of BALT lymphomas. RESULTS:: In our cohort of patients, patients were managed with surgery, watchful waiting, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and chemoimmunotherapy. The outcomes are excellent and projected 5-year survival is 100%. DISCUSSION:: BALT lymphomas are associated with chronic inflammation, and they are often asymptomatic. They have an indolent course and the survival outcome is excellent with different treatment modalities such as surgery, watchful waiting, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy or chemoimmunotherapy.