Primary manifestation of HIV-related Burkitt lymphoma in the oral and maxillofacial regions

Abstract

Background. Burkitt lymphoma (BL) is a subtype of non -Hodgkin lymphoma. It is strongly associated with HIV infection and has a highly aggressive clinical course. The involvement of the maxillofacial region in BL has rarely been reported. Case Description. A 36 -year -old woman with HIV -positive status had painless bilateral swelling of the oral mucosa and middle and lower thirds of the face. Microscopic analysis of the oral lesion revealed an atypical lymphoid in filtrate with a starry sky pattern. The lymphoid cells expressed cluster of differentiation 20, cluster of differentiation 10, B -cell lymphoma 6, and c-Myc; the Ki-67 proliferative index was high. The tumor cells were positive for Epstein -Barr virus. These results led to the diagnosis of HIV -related BL. Practical Implications. BL and other immunode ficiency -related lymphoproliferative malignancies may affect the oral and maxillofacial regions and should be included in the differential diagnosis of rapidly expanding swelling in young patients.