Oral manifestations of anaplastic large cell lymphoma: clinicopathological features and main immunophenotypic findings of 3 cases

Anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) is contained within a larger category of aggressive mature T-cell lymphomas. Their subclassification relies on the presence or absence of Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (ALK) gene fusions and other molecular alterations. Cases in the head and neck and mouth are uncommon. The aim of this manuscript is to describe the clinicopathological and immunohistochemical features of a series of anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) affecting the oral cavity. Three cases are included in this series, all of them affecting male patients, with a mean age of 27.7 years old. Concomitant involvement of the oral cavity and lymph nodes was known to occur in two cases, while cutaneous lesions were not recorded in any patient. The neoplasms more often presented as solitary or multiple painful swellings in the gingiva. All cases were positive for CD30 expression, and the two cases investigated for CD3 were negative. ALK protein was expressed in two cases, and it was negative in one case. EBER was negative in the two cases investigated. One patient was known to decease despite chemotherapy. In conclusion, oral manifestations of ALCL are very rare and more commonly represent a disseminated disease.