Non-hodgkin's lymphoma at the base of tongue: A rare localization

Abstract

The extra-nodal non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHLs) are mainly found in the head–and-neck region after the gastrointestinal tract. In the head–and-neck region, most common sites for NHL are Waldeyer's ring, followed by the sinonasal tract. NHL at the base of the tongue is extremely rare. The evaluation of the mass at the base of the tongue is a diagnostic challenge for a clinician as a wide spectrum of the benign and malignant lesions found in this site. The diagnosis of the NHL is established by histopathological and immunohistochemical studies. Here, we reported a case of the NHL at the base of the tongue in 28-year-old female. The patient was treated with three cycles of a combination of cyclophosphamide, vincristine, adriamycin, and prednisone chemotherapy and rituximab followed by radiotherapy. There was no evidence of recurrence during the first, second, and third years of the follow up period.