Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the hard palate

In the past decades many changes have taken place in the classification of lymphoreticular malignancies. At present two main groups are recognized--Hodgkin's lymphomas and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. Hodgkin's lymphomas rarely affect the oral cavity. The mouth, especially the soft tissues, is somewhat more frequently involved in cases of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. There seems to be some predilection for the mucosa of the palate. The present report describes eight patients in whom a swelling of the palatal mucosa led to the diagnosis of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The emphasis is on the clinical and microscopic aspects. The present most accepted histologic classifications have been applied and are briefly discussed.