Epstein-Barr virus-positive plasmablastic lymphoma in maxillary gingiva of HIV-negative patient – Case report

Abstract

Plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL) is a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma commonly associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. In rare cases, PBL occurrence is noted in the oral cavity of elderly individuals who are HIV negative and EBV positive. The present report describes a case of oral mucosa-type PBL that occurred in the maxillary gingiva of the oral cavity. A 91-year-old male came to our clinic with enlarged swelling of the palatal gingiva of the right maxillary molar. The initial examination showed a smooth-surfaced extraordinary swelling with a diameter of approximately 20 mm. Cytology findings led to a class V determination and the patient was clinically diagnosed with a right-sided maxillary malignant tumor. Imaging studies also revealed a tumor in the right-side submandibular lymph node. For further confirmation of the diagnosis, a tissue biopsy was performed and a diagnosis of PBL determined, based on the histopathological and immunohistological findings of the specimen. Blood test results showed that the patient was HIV negative and EBV positive. Two years after the biopsy, there was no recurrence or enlargement in the affected area noted.