Plasmablastic lymphoma of the oral cavity: a review

Plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL) is a rare AIDS associated non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), with predilection for the mucosa of oral cavity. It usually has a plasmablastic morphology, expressing plasma cell-associated antigens with weak or no expression of B-cell associated markers. The tumor cells also show monoclonal rearrangement of the immunoglobulin heavy chain gene (IgH) and/or clonal restriction of Ig light chain (IgL) gene expression in most of the cases. An etiological role for EBV seems likely but the association with HHV8 is questionable. The treatment guidelines for PBL are not well defined and patients have been treated heterogeneously with chemo and/or radiotherapy, although the prognosis is poor. The present article discusses the 68 cases reported in English medical literature with comprehensive review on PBL involving the oral cavity.