Painless, Rapidly Increasing Maxillary Swelling and Erythematous Mucosa: Differential Diagnosis and Therapy

Case Presentation

A 48-year-old man was referred to our stomatology department by a general dental practitioner for evaluation of a painless soft tissue mass. The approximately 3 cm × 2 cm lesion had increased rapidly in size since the patient first noticed it a month earlier. Examination revealed a semifirm, slightly tender swelling involving the left maxillary alveolus and extending to the buccal vestibule between teeth 23 and 26 (left canine to left first molar; Fig. 1). The mucosa overlying the swelling was erythematous. The initial panoramic radiograph (Fig. 2) showed a diffuse radiolucent area in the alveolar process of the left maxilla compatible with mild alveolar bone destruction; poor definition in the floor of the maxillary sinus; loss of the lamina dura; and lowering of the alveolar bone margin to a state resembling periodontitis or periodontal abscesses.

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Discussion

The clinical and radiographic findings suggested an aggressive lesion, and this diagnosis was strengthened by the absence of dental disease that could account for the radiolucency within the alveolar process. Furthermore, the widening of the periodontal ligament space in the region of the lesion in the absence of dental disease suggested an etiology not related to the tooth. Consequently, neoplasm was ranked high in the differential diagnosis. Inflammation of dental origin, chronic sinus infection or a mucous retention pseudocyst were considered to be less likely.

Routine blood tests and biochemical examinations were normal, liver and kidney function tests showed no abnormalities and a test for HIV was negative. No lymph nodes were palpable in the facial region, and the patient did not mention any recent sudden weight loss.

An excisional biopsy of the lesion was performed and the specimen was submitted for histologic and immunohistochemical examination. Sections stained with hematoxylin and eosin revealed connective tissue and striated muscle fibres infiltrated with follicular formations of various sizes and a mixed neoplastic lymphoid composition consisting of predominantly small cleaved cells (centrocytes) admixed with a few non-cleaved large cells (centroblasts). Immunohistochemical investigation demonstrated cells that were strongly positive for CD79a and CD20 and negative for CD5, CD43 and CD23 markers. The proliferation index with Ki-67 immunohistochemistry using the MIB-1 monoclonal antibody was approximately 60%. These features were consistent with follicular centre-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL).

Lymphomas are heterogeneous malignant neoplasms originating from lymphocytes or their precursor cells. They are classified as Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) or NHL based on their histologic patterns and clinical behaviour. HLs account for only 14% of lymphomas; the remainder are NHLs.¹ The latter are much less predictable than HLs and have a far greater predilection to disseminate to extranodal sites (nearly 25% of cases) and, in most cases, are associated with nodal involvement.² Primary extranodal site involvement is seen in 10–35% of cases at initial diagnosis and reaches 50% during evolution of the disease.³

In the oral cavity and maxillofacial region, the site most commonly affected by NHL is the Waldeyer ring, especially with involvement of the tonsil area, followed by  localization in the parotid and submandibular salivary glands.² Sublingual or minor salivary glands are rarely the presentation site of clinically manifested lymphoma.¹

NHLs can be grouped into subtypes based on their histologic pattern, cellular morphology and immunohistochemical staining properties. All histologic types may be observed intraorally; the most common are large-cell lymphoma and small lymphocytic lymphoma.³

The most frequent primary oral manifestations of NHL include a local painless enlargement with or without ulceration, loosening of teeth, paresthesia and destruction of surrounding bone visible by radiography. These initial clinical features of NHL are often mistaken for reactive or inflammatory processes. The symptoms are similar to those of a squamous cell carcinoma and the distinction can be made only by biopsy.⁴

The differential diagnosis of NHL in the oral cavity also includes odontogenic inflammatory process, periodontal disease, malignancies of the oral soft tissue, tumours of the jaws, neoplasms of the minor salivary glands and benign lymphoproliferative diseases, such as follicular lymphoid hyperplasia of the palate.⁵ Radiographic findings are not specific; they commonly reveal diffuse bone destruction, loss of the lamina dura or lowering of the alveolar bone margin resembling periodontitis or periodontal abscesses.

Hematologic and biochemical profiles of NHL patients are usually normal, but a decreased number of peripheral blood lymphocytes, decreased serum albumin levels and elevated serum lactate dehydrogenase levels can be observed.⁶

Lymph node and tissue biopsy is the gold standard for NHL diagnosis. Indications for lymph node biopsy include significant enlargement, persistence of swelling for more than 4–6 weeks or a progressive increase in size.⁷ Although fine-needle aspiration is less invasive, confirmation by tissue biopsy is necessary in most cases.⁸ Early diagnosis of primary extranodal NHL of the oral cavity is based on histologic examination. Routine hematoxylin- and eosin-stained tissue sections together with immunohistochemical techniques should always be used. Immunohistochemistry using paraffin-embedded sections is a valuable technique in both diagnostic and investigative pathology as it best combines immunoreactivity and tissue morphology.

Staging of NHL is important, both in guiding therapy and determining prognosis. The Ann Arbor staging system is the most widely used and takes into account the number of tumour sites (nodal and extranodal), their location and the presence or absence of B symptoms.^1,4

Diagnosis in the early stages of NHL when there is minimal lymph node involvement is associated with better prospects for long-term disease-free survival. The prognosis is poorer for advanced stages of the disease with widespread involvement of the lymph nodes and extranodal sites.

Therapy

Management of NHL depends on the classification (indolent, aggressive, highly aggressive) and specific diagnosis or subtype. Chemotherapeutic strategies include the use of single drugs (e.g., cyclophosphamide, chlorambucil, cladribine, fludarabine and pentostatin) and combination therapy (e.g., cyclophosphamide–vincristine–prednisone [CVP]).⁹ The anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, rituximab, has been used alone or in combination, resulting in highly efficacious and improved outcomes in relapsed and refractory cases (e.g., with CVP [R-CVP] and with cyclophosphamide–doxorubicin–vincristine–prednisolone [R-CHOP]).¹⁰

Highly aggressive lymphoma is mainly treated with multi-agent chemotherapy. Disease relapse is treated with supralethal doses of chemotherapy sometimes in combination with radiotherapy, followed by autologous stem-cell rescue.

Our patient underwent 6 cycles of chemotherapy following the R-CHOP regimen. After these sessions, the patient returned to our clinic, where we observed significant remission of the oral lesion.

This case emphasizes the importance of recognizing unusual pathology within the oral cavity, early diagnosis and prompt referral for subsequent management.

THE AUTHORS

	Dr. Rullo is associate professor of oral and maxillofacial surgery, stomatology department, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
	Dr. Addabbo is a resident of oral and maxillofacial surgery, stomatology department, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
	Dr. Festa is a resident of oral and maxillofacial surgery, stomatology department, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy.

Correspondence to: Dr. Francesco Addabbo, Via Luigi De Crecchio no. 6, 80138 Napoli, Italy. Email: francesco.addabbo@gmail.com

The authors have no declared financial interests.

This article has been peer reviewed.