Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (ALCL) in the Oral Mucosa with Repeating Recurrence and Spontaneous Regression of Ulceration: Report of a case.

Abstract

This report describes a 77-year-old Japanese male with anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) in the oral mucosa. He first noticed an ulcerated nodule on the tongue in July 1995. The biopsy specimen showed a non-specific inflammatory reaction and the ulcerated lesion regressed spontaneously. A similar lesion developed at a site posterior to the previous lesion two months later and the lesion disappeared again. A biopsy from the ulcerated nodule, which developed in the dorsum of the tongue in November 1995, demonstrated the atypical cells. Tumor cells showed a CD45+, CD3+, CD30+ and p80NPM/ALK+ phenotype. The lesion was diagnosed as ALCL with a T-cell phenotype, and clinical staging determined it to be stage IE. The tumor underwent spontaneous regression. In May 1998, multiple ulcers recurred in the oral cavity. Biopsies proved ALCL. Thereafter, additional ulcers developed in the oral cavity; however, biopsies were not performed. All of these lesions disappeared spontaneously.