Plasmablastic lymphoma is a non-Hodgkin lymphoma characterized by its plasmacytic
differentiation and predilection for the oral cavity. It is among the lymphomas
most commonly associated with AIDS. This report details a case of a HIV-positive
patient with a 1-month history of an exophytic mass in the gingival area of the
upper left quadrant. The diagnosis of plasmablastic lymphoma was made based on
its histopathological and immunophenotypical features. She was treated with
chemotherapy followed by autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
Despite complete resolution of the lesion, the patient died of cardiorespiratory
arrest. This case illustrates plasmablastic lymphoma as the first clinical
manifestation of AIDS, highlighting the importance of differentiating between a
potentially malignant lesion and other pathologic processes.
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