Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: A case involving four third molar extraction sites

Abstract

M alignant lymphomas are neoplasms of the lymphopoietic portion of the reticuloendothelial system.’ Lymphomas are the third most common malignant lesions of the oral region, fillowing squamous cell carcinoma and salivary gland neoplasms.2-4 NonHodgkin’s lymphomas (NHL) encompass a separate group of diseases that differ from Hodgkin’s lymphomas in cytologic characteristics, natural history, response to therapy, and prognosis.5 NHL can occur in all age groups and can affect either gender. While the initial lesion usually presents in the lymph nodes, extranodal presentations of NHL are common, with occurrence in the central nervous system, the gastrointestinal tract, the kidneys, the testes, the bone, and the skin6 The incidence of extranodal NHL in the oral region, however, is less common. A study of 1467 cases of extranodal NHL by Freeman and coworkers7 reported 417 of these cases as having been initially seen in the head and neck region; of those, 9.5% involved the oral cavity. NHL has occurred in almost every soft and hard tissue of the oral region, but no predominant site in the mouth has been determined.’ A case of extranodal NHL involving four third molar extraction sites is presented. A review of the literature failed to reveal any other such case.