Abstract
Rituximab is a chimeric monoclonal antibody directed against the B-cell CD20 antigen, which has been used for the therapy of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma. It was approved by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare in June 2001.
We report a case of malignant lymphoma in the oral and maxillofacial region that was treated with rituximab and a combination of cyclophosphamide, doxorubicine, vincristin, and prednisolone (CHOP) and had an excellent response.
The patient was a 62-year-old woman who had a swelling on the right side of the cheek. A computed tomographic scan revealed a mass measuring 33×30mm in the cheek with several swollen cervical lymph nodes. Biopsy of the cheek revealed lymphoid proliferation, consistent with malignant non-Hodgkin lymphoma (diffuse large Bcell lymphoma). Immunohistochemical staining was positive for CD20. The patient was therefore treated with rituximab and CHOP, and the tumor disappeared. One year 3 months have passed since treatment, and there is no evidence of recurrence.
This is the first reported case of an excellent response of a malignant lymphoma in the oral and maxillofacial region to rituximab and CHOP in Japan.
