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Leo I. Gordon, MD, FACP
Leo I. Gordon, MD, FACP
Posted: Tuesday, May 17, 2022
Although diffuse large B-cell lymphoma is the most common type of lymphatic tumor, initial extranodal involvement of the maxilla and mandible is rare. Yasuyuki Michi, DDS, PhD, of the Tokyo Medical and Dental University, and colleagues conducted a study to clarify the clinical characteristics of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in patients with this unusual manifestation. The results of this single-center retrospective analysis, which were published in BMC Oral Health, may lead to improvements in prognosis.
“Symptoms associated with nontender swelling and numbness of the lip or chin in the absence of other findings, such as dental infections, should raise suspicions about diffuse large B-cell lymphoma,” the investigators remarked. “Such patients should not be scheduled for any invasive dental procedures and instead should be immediately referred to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon for appropriate imaging and accurate biopsy testing.”
Patients who were diagnosed with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma based on symptoms in the maxilla (bone: n = 12; gingiva: n = 3) and mandible (bone: n = 10; gingiva: n = 2) were enrolled. The median duration of time from the onset of symptoms to the pursuit of treatment was 60 days. In all cases, a tumor or mass was reported. Hypoesthesia of the chin was confirmed in eight of the cases with mandibular involvement. A total of 8, 10, and 9 cases were clinical stage I, II, and IV, respectively. In 13 patients, the serum lactate dehydrogenase level was higher than the normal upper limit. The rate of overall survival was 63%.
Disclosure: The study authors reported no conflicts of interest.
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