Plasmablastic lymphoma of the oral cavity in an HIV-positive patient: a case report and review of literature

Plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL) of the oral cavity is an uncommon, recently described B-cell derived lymphoma that is most commonly seen in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections. The authors report a rare case of PBL in the oral cavity of a 40-year-old man with HIV. The lymphoma cells were positive for leukocyte common antigen, CD79a, CD138, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and kappa light chain restriction and negative for CD20, CD3, S100, HMB45 and cytokeratins. The lesion regressed after treatment with local radiotherapy and systemic chemotherapy. The features of this rare disease are summarized based on a comprehensive review of the epidemiological, clinical and immunohistochemical findings of previously reported cases.