Epstein-Barr Virus–Positive Oral Ulceration Simulating Hodgkin Lymphoma in a Patient Treated With Methotrexate: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Immunosuppressive therapy for patients diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis has long been implicated in the development of various neoplastic processes, including leukemia and lymphoma. Methotrexate is a commonly administered antimetabolic medication thought to improve the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis through its anti-inflammatory effects. Longterm methotrexate therapy and concurrent rheumatoid arthritis have both been independently suggested as risk factors for developing lymphoma. The mechanism has been theorized to be severe immunosuppression and an increased frequency of latent infection with pro-oncogenic viruses, such as the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Spontaneous remission of these malignancies has been seen after discontinuation of the methotrexate therapy. In the present study, we report the case of a patient diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and treated with methotrexate and prednisone. She developed intraoral ulcerations that histopathologically resembled Hodgkin's lymphoma.