Lymphoma in the infraorbital region.

Background: B-cell lymphomas are rare neoplasms in the oral cavity. They are significant to dentists because the oral complications associated with treatment mean that dentists can play an important role in their detection.

Case Description: The authors describe the case of a 55-year-old man with nonhealing ulcers, swelling and pain six months after maxillary left canine extraction. As it occurred in the infraorbital region after canine tooth extraction, the authors suspected B-cell lymphoma. Clinical examination revealed infraorbital edema with regional submandibular lymphadenopathy. Intraoral examination revealed a nonhealing ulceration with ill-defined borders in the surrounding mucosa. It was 5- x 5-centimeters in diameter and gray-white. The histopathologic examination showed diffuse, atypical, lymphoid cell infiltration and immuno-histochemically positive staining. After the histopathologic examination, the authors referred the patient to a medical center for treatment.

Clinical Implications: Dentists should look for signs of B-cell lymphoma when a patient has extended pain and swelling after an extraction.