口蓋に発生した小細胞性リンパ腫の1例

Abstract

The primary development of small lymphocytic lymphoma in the oral cavity is very rare. A review of the literature revealed that no such case has been reported previously in Japan, and only a few cases have been reported overseas. We present a case of small lymphocytic lymphoma arising in the palate. The patient was a 77-year old woman with an elastic, hard, painless mass with a smooth surface measuring 40 × 20 mm in the right palate. No particular abnormality was observed on blood tests or general examinations. A biopsy was performed for a suspected diagnosis of a benign palatal tumor. A proliferation center, which is a characteristic of small lymphocytic lymphoma, was noted on hematoxylin-eosin staining. In addition, immunological staining revealed that CD5, CD10, and cyclin D1 were negative and CD20 and CD23 were positive. Therefore, the lesion was diagnosed to be a small lymphocytic lymphoma. Three courses of R-THP-COP were administeret, and the tumor shrank immediately after the start of therapy. Complete remission with regard to both clinical and imaging findings was achieved by the end of treatment. No recurrence or metastasis has been noted for 1 year 6 months after therapy.