Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) of the oral cavity
Pecorari, P.; Melato, M.
Anticancer Research 18(2b): 1299-1302
1998
ISSN/ISBN: 0250-7005 PMID: 9615806 Document Number: 493225
Background: the treatment of NHL in the head and neck region is complex because of the numerous variables that are involved Reports in the recent literature on NHL of the oral legion have dealt with one or two individual cases and routine treatment guidelines do not exist Local lesions are responsive to radiotherapy as well as to chemotherapy, but the cure rates are discouragingly low. Patient and methods: we report a case of a Painful swelling of the lower left gingiva. Local biopsy and a systemic work-up (labs, X-rays, eco scan, CT, bone marrow aspiration and biopsy) was performed. Results: the biopsy of the oral lesion disclosed a malignant NHL; other examinations failed to find other foci of the lymphomatous process. Conclusions: this case of primitive NHL of the oral cavity summarizes the main characteristics of this rather uncommon pathology a) difficult diagnosis at presentation, often misdiagnosed for other more common oral diseases b) the importance of a local biopsy; c) rapid evolution; d) a good response to chemotherapy; e) poor prognosis.