Oral lesion as the primary diagnosis of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: a 20-year experience from an oral pathology service and review of the literature.

Purpose: We aimed to investigate the frequency and clinicopathological features of oral NHL in our institution as well as to compare the data gathered from other oral pathology and general pathology services published in the literature.

Methods: Clinical records of patients diagnosed with NHL exclusively affecting the oral cavity were reviewed from 1997 to 2017. Additionally, a review of the literature over a 20-year period was conducted aiming to examine articles on oral NHLs.

Results: Oral NHLs represented 0.1% (n = 98) of the total number of biopsies (68,229) received during the period evaluated (1997-2017). The mean age at the diagnosis was 47 years. Most patients were white (67.3%). A nodular lesion was the most frequent presentation (54.9%) and pain was described in 47.1% of the cases. The most common diagnosis was diffuse large B cell lymphoma (42%) followed by plasmablastic lymphoma (24%). Only 19 articles were included in the review of the literature.

Conclusions: Although NHLs are rare in the oral cavity, clinicians and surgeons have an important role in promptly diagnosing lymphomatous lesions to refer the patient to a proper treatment.