Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma presenting as submandibular swelling and palatal ulceration

Abstract

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma frequently produces cervical lymphadenopathy, and much less frequently involvement of the nonlymphoid tissues of the head and neck region. This report describes a case ofsystemic non-Hodgkin's lymphoma that first presented as an asymptomatic submandibular swelling combined with a firm, ulcerated palatal mass. Physical examination and radiologic studies indicated involvement of anterior and posterior cervical lymph nodes, liver, spleen, and periaortic tissues. Histologic, immunohistochemical, and electron microscopic studies of the palatal tissue and iliac bone marrow showed the neoplasm to be a diffuse, small, cleaved lymphocytic lymphoma of B-cell origin.