AIM:To explore the morphology and immune phenotypic characteristics of lymphoma from ocular adnexal mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue(OAML).

METHODS: The characteristics of morphology, cytology and immune phenotype of the lymphoma were observed by light microscope and immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS: Twenty-nine cases(33 eyes)with lymphoma including 23 cases(24 eyes)in phase Ⅰ and 6 cases(9 eyes)in phase Ⅱ. Small lymphocytes tumor cells were observed and took predominant place in all cases. The tumor cells, almost had the same size, diffused in the tissues, and the nuclei was almost round with dyed deep, while the cytoplasm was less with dyed pale. There were 29 cases with CD20(+)and CD79a(+), 2 cases with CD5(+)and 3 cases with CD43(+); CD45RO, CyclinD1, CD10 and CD23 were found negative in all cases.

CONCLUSION: Infiltration of small lymphocytes-like tumor cells is main type that we found in the lymphoma from MALT, with a few center-cell-like cells and mononuclear cells scattered. Plasma cells and Russell, Dutcher bodies are seen in some cases. The typical immune phenotype of lymphoma from OAML is CD20(+), CD10(-), CD5(-),CD23(-)and CyclinD1(-). Some cases have CD5(+)expression, which may be a signal of bad outcomes of OAML.