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Background <p>Plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL) is an unusual and aggressive form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that most frequently occurs in immunosuppressed patients, especially those suffering from HIV infection. The association between PBL and the oral cavity is very rare, and the clinical features may mimic odontogenic and epithelial tumors, which causes a delayed diagnosis. Here, we describe an extremely rare case of localized PBL involving the anterior mandible in an HIV-infected patient clinically resembling carcinoma of the lower anterior alveolus.</p> Case presentation <p>A 43-year-old man, HIV positive, Indian origin, with progressive enlargement of painful swelling over chin area for three months was seen. Examination showed a hard swelling with hypopigmented skin over the lower anterior chin area. Intraorally, there was presence of a nodular, erythematous, pebble like appearance of the mucosa in the edentulous anterior mandibular region, without any ulcerations. No cervical lymphadenopathy could be palpated. Clinically, the provisional diagnosis was made as carcinoma of the lower anterior alveolus, with lymphoma and Kaposi sarcoma being the differentials. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan showed a destructive mass with destruction of the anterior mandible and involvement of the surrounding soft tissue areas. Histopathology showed diffuse sheets of plasmablast-like cells. Immunohistochemistry showed MUM-1 and CD45 positivity and CD20 and PAX-5 negativity and high ki67 proliferation index (80–85%). Thus, the diagnosis of plasmablastic lymphoma was confirmed. The staging showed Stage IE extranodal disease without any significant lymphadenopathy and systemic symptoms. The patient was put on antiretroviral and systemic chemotherapeutic treatment.</p> Conclusions <p>This case demonstrates the difficulty in making a diagnosis for plasmablastic lymphoma mimicking a localized mandibular mass, similar to an oral squamous cell carcinoma. The differential diagnosis must include lymphoma in cases where there is an unusual mandibular swelling, especially when there is an underlying immunocompromised status. Imaging, histopathologic, and immunohistologic studies are crucial in making an early diagnosis and appropriate management of the disease. This case report illustrates the significance of a multidisciplinary management strategy for an unusual oral malignancy.</p>

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Plasmablastic non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma: a case report and review of the literature

  • 期刊论文

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月29日

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  • Imran Saleem Solanki,
  • Rajanikanth Kambala,
  • Nitin Bhola,
  • Sanjana Wadeawale

摘要

Background

Plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL) is an unusual and aggressive form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that most frequently occurs in immunosuppressed patients, especially those suffering from HIV infection. The association between PBL and the oral cavity is very rare, and the clinical features may mimic odontogenic and epithelial tumors, which causes a delayed diagnosis. Here, we describe an extremely rare case of localized PBL involving the anterior mandible in an HIV-infected patient clinically resembling carcinoma of the lower anterior alveolus.

Case presentation

A 43-year-old man, HIV positive, Indian origin, with progressive enlargement of painful swelling over chin area for three months was seen. Examination showed a hard swelling with hypopigmented skin over the lower anterior chin area. Intraorally, there was presence of a nodular, erythematous, pebble like appearance of the mucosa in the edentulous anterior mandibular region, without any ulcerations. No cervical lymphadenopathy could be palpated. Clinically, the provisional diagnosis was made as carcinoma of the lower anterior alveolus, with lymphoma and Kaposi sarcoma being the differentials. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan showed a destructive mass with destruction of the anterior mandible and involvement of the surrounding soft tissue areas. Histopathology showed diffuse sheets of plasmablast-like cells. Immunohistochemistry showed MUM-1 and CD45 positivity and CD20 and PAX-5 negativity and high ki67 proliferation index (80–85%). Thus, the diagnosis of plasmablastic lymphoma was confirmed. The staging showed Stage IE extranodal disease without any significant lymphadenopathy and systemic symptoms. The patient was put on antiretroviral and systemic chemotherapeutic treatment.

Conclusions

This case demonstrates the difficulty in making a diagnosis for plasmablastic lymphoma mimicking a localized mandibular mass, similar to an oral squamous cell carcinoma. The differential diagnosis must include lymphoma in cases where there is an unusual mandibular swelling, especially when there is an underlying immunocompromised status. Imaging, histopathologic, and immunohistologic studies are crucial in making an early diagnosis and appropriate management of the disease. This case report illustrates the significance of a multidisciplinary management strategy for an unusual oral malignancy.