Lymphoma of cheek: a case report

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Pathology

Background:

• Malignant lymphoma of the cheek is a rare condition, accounting for 2.5% of all malignant lymphomas.
• The etiology remains largely unknown, though risk factors include Helicobacter pylori and Epstein Barr virus infections.
• Clinical presentation is often non-specific, potentially mimicking benign otolaryngological conditions.

Observation:

• A case of B cell lymphoma presenting as a slowly growing cheek swelling over three months is described.
• The swelling was unresponsive to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and antibiotic treatments.
• Diagnostic procedures included biopsy, blood investigations, ultrasonography, and CT scan.

Findings:

• Biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of lymphoma.
• Diagnostic imaging and laboratory tests aided in staging and confirming the diagnosis.
• Fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) provided essential cytohistological and immune-histochemical information.

Implications:

• Accurate clinical examination is paramount for identifying potential lymphoma cases.
• Timely cytohistological and immune-histochemical diagnosis via FNAB is fundamental for appropriate treatment planning.
• This case underscores the importance of considering rare malignancies in persistent, unexplained swellings.