Oral and oropharyngeal lymphomas: A multi-institutional collaborative study

Lymphomas in the oral and oropharyngeal regions are relatively uncommon, and their diagnosis is challenging and complex due to the myriad histopathological subtypes. Herein, we report a large series of oral and oropharyngeal lymphomas and compare our data with the currently available literature.

All cases diagnosed as lymphomas affecting the oral and oropharyngeal regions were retrospectively retrieved from seven Brazilian institutions. Clinicodemographic data and histopathological features were evaluated and described, while a comprehensive literature review was undertaken in order to compare our findings.

A total of 304 cases of oral and oropharyngeal lymphomas were obtained, mostly affecting individuals aged 60-69 years (n = 68) with a mean age at diagnosis of 54.2 ± 20.1 years. Males and females were equally affected. Mature B-cell neoplasms (87.2%) were the most common group, followed by mature T- and NK-cell neoplasms (11.2%) and precursor lymphoid neoplasms (1.6%). The most frequent subtypes in each group were diffuse large B-cell lymphomas, not otherwise specified (n = 99), extranodal NK/T-cell lymphomas, nasal type (n = 12), and B-lymphoblastic leukaemia/lymphomas, not otherwise specified (n = 4). The most commonly involved sites were the palate (26.3%), mandible (13%), and maxilla (10.5%).

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified, remains the most common subtype of lymphomas in the oral and oropharyngeal region. Older patients are the most affected, with no gender predilection and the palate and jaw are usually affected.