Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma of the Oral Cavity Diagnosed in the Buccal Mucosa with Relapsed-Refractory Lesion in the Lip: a Rare Case Report

Abstract

Peripheral T-cell lymphoma consists of a rare and generally aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma group that develops from mature T cells; its primary oral manifestations are rare. A 35-year-old Caucasian man presented with swelling, of 2 months' evolution, on the right side of the buccal mucosa, close to the tooth #16, recently treated endodontically; the swelling was painless, with numbness and anesthesia. Upon palpation, a fibrous cord in the buccal mucosa, from the region of tooth #16 to the incisor, was observed. Anatomopathologic and immunohistochemical analyses revealed peripheral T-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma with CD3-positive markers and Ki-67 positive in 60% of the nuclei. Imaging examinations showed an enlargement of right level IB and bilateral IIA lymph nodes. The tumor was rated according to the Ann Arbor staging as IIB/E and treated with CHOP. The tumor relapsed and was refractory to treatment after 5 months, manifesting swelling in the lower right lip. The case is under follow-up.