A rare presentation of a primary diffuse large b-cell lymphoma of the oral cavity

I would like to share this case report of a primary diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of the oral cavity. It is essential for all general dental practitioners to be aware of this unusual presentation as early recognition, diagnosis and treatment can increase life expectancy of these patients. The prognosis is related to the disease staging.

Lymphomas are classified into Hodgkin's lymphomas and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCLs) are non-Hodgkin's lymphomas and defined as neoplasms of large transformed B-cells with a nuclear diameter more than twice that of a normal lymphocyte. The prevalence of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is 30–40%. Although NHLs of the oral cavity are rare (3–5%), the most frequent type of primary NHL of the oral cavity is DLBCL. DLBCL can be further classified prognostically into two subgroups, namely germinal centre B-cell like lymphomas (GCBs) and non-germinal centre B-cell like lymphoma (non-GBCs). GCB lymphomas have a better prognosis than non-GCB lymphomas.