Plasmablastic Lymphoma of the Oral Cavity: Report of Two Cases

Abstract

Plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL) is an aggressive, diffuse, large B-cell lymphoma frequently observed in the oral cavity of individuals with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. We present 2 new cases of oral PBL. The first patient was a 35-year-old man with uncontrolled HIV infection, presenting with an extensive mass measuring 8 cm in the hard palate and upper gingiva. The second patient was a 32-year-old man with HIV infection, presenting with an extensive maxillary ulcerated mass that caused facial asymmetry and destruction of nasal cavity corticals. Microscopically, both cases showed round cells with plasmablastic differentiation, eccentric nuclei, and abundant cytoplasm. Tumor cells were strongly positive for CD138 and MUM1 and negative for CD20. Ki-67 was 90%. Both patients were treated with antiretrovirals and chemotherapy. The first patient is well without recurrence, and the second is under treatment. PBL may affect the hard palate as an extensive ulcerated swelling in young adults with HIV infection.