Primary Follicular Lymphoma of the Conjunctiva in a 12 Year-Old Male

BACKGROUND: Follicular lymphoma (FL) is the second most common adnexal lymphoma of the eye that almost all of them are reported in elderly patients. Primary FL of the eye has been reported in only two children. Pediatric FL appears to be biologically distinct from typical adult FL. In cases without other organ involvement excision alone with close monitoring is a treatment of choiceand the prognosis is excellent. CASE PRESENTATION: A 12 year -old male with a nodular lesion involving the inner can thus of the right eye was admitted to ophthalmology clinic. The lesion was painless and the nodule size gradually increased over a period of 6 months.Excisional biopsy demonstrated follicular lymphoma composed of neoplastic lymphoid cells which arranged in follicular pattern without germinal centers. Neoplastic cells were positive for Bcl2 and CD20. CONCLUSION: Although follicular lymphoma of the conjunctiva is rare in childhood but it could be considered as one of the differential diagnosis in this age group.