Gingival primary extranodal non-Hodgkin's lymphoma as the first manifestation of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.
BACKGROUND
Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHLs) are a heterogeneous group of lymphoproliferative malignancies that may be associated with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). NHL can disseminate to extranodal sites; however, its dissemination to the jaws and mouth is not common. This report presents and discusses two unusual cases of gingival primary extranodal non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (PE-NHL) as the first manifestation of AIDS.


METHODS
Two males presented with asymptomatic gingival swelling. They were examined clinically. Biopsies of the gingival tissue were evaluated using routine histologic techniques and immunohistochemistry. The patients were tested for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.


RESULTS
The clinicopathological evaluation and the serological HIV examination of the patients led us to the final diagnosis of gingival PE-NHL as the first manifestation of AIDS. Both patients were referred to an oncologist and to an infectious disease specialist and were given antineoplastic chemotherapy and highly active antiretroviral therapy. Only one patient presented a favorable clinical evolution.


CONCLUSIONS
The present case reports have important clinical implications; the two unusual presentations of gingival PE-NHL contribute to information about the differential diagnosis of rapidly progressing gingival swelling.
Navarro
Cláudia M
CM
Department of Oral Diagnosis and Surgery, Araraquara Dental School, São Paulo State University, Rua Humaitá 1680, Araraquara, SP, Brazil. cnavarro@foar.unesp.br
Shibli
Jamil A
JA
Ferrari
Roberto B
RB
d'Avila
Susana
S
Sposto
Maria R
MR
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D000328:Adult; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005887:Gingival Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D016483:Lymphoma, AIDS-Related / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents