Diffuse Large B- Cell Lymphoma of Oropharyngeal Area: A Case Series

Abstract

Background
Lymphomas are a group of malignant neoplasms originated from lymphoid hematopoietic system and the second most common malignancy of the head and neck region. Extranodal Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL) was first described as a distinct entity by Isaacson and Wright in 1983. The head and neck are the second most common sites for extranodal NHL. Oral cavity is an uncommon site for NHL which accounts for 0.1 to 3% of the cases. Diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common lymphoma in head and neck region.

Case description
We report three cases of Diffuse large B cell lymphoma a variant of NHL. Three patients within a age range of  6^th to 7^th decade, presented with a chief complaint of mass in oropharyngeal area associated with pain and swelling in neck. On histopathological examination of the provided incisional biopsies, Poorly differentiated carcinoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma were given as the differential diagnosis. However immune-histochemical analysis confirmed the diagnosis as Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. 

Conclusion
Although non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is uncommon in the oral cavity, it should always be considered in the differential diagnosis of intraoral malignant diseases of head and neck swelling. Pertinent immuno-histochemical analysis is important for the early diagnosis and good prognosis of the disease.