Year: 2026 | Month: May | Volume: 16 | Issue: 5 | Pages: 250-259
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijhsr.20260529
Hematolymphoid Tumors of the Oral and Oropharyngeal Region: A Retrospective Case Series from a Tertiary Care Centre
Rachit Ahuja1, Pallvi Kaul2, Debanjan Sikdar3, Pankaj Kumar Garg4, Seema Acharya5
1Associate Professor, Department of Radiation Oncology,
Shri Guru Ram Rai institute Of Medical and Health Sciences, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India,
2Associate Professor, Department of Surgical Oncology,
Shri Guru Ram Rai institute Of Medical and Health Sciences, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India,
3Assisstant Professor, Department of Radiation Oncology,
Shri Guru Ram Rai institute Of Medical and Health Sciences, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India,
4Professor, Department of Surgical Oncology,
Shri Guru Ram Rai institute Of Medical and Health Sciences, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India
5Professor, Department of Pathology,
Shri Guru Ram Rai institute Of Medical and Health Sciences, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India.
Corresponding Author: Dr. Rachit Ahuja
ABSTRACT
Background: Head and neck malignancies constitute a significant oncological burden in India, with oral and oropharyngeal cancers ranking among the top five in males. Hematolymphoid tumors represent the second most common malignancy type in this region; however, their clinical and pathological characteristics remain underreported, particularly from tertiary Indian centers.
Objective: To analyze the clinical presentation, histopathological features, treatment modalities, and short-term outcomes of hematolymphoid tumors involving the oral and/or oropharyngeal regions at a tertiary care oncology center.
Methods: A retrospective review of patient digital records maintained from April 2021 to March 2024 was conducted. All cases histologically confirmed as oral oropharyngeal hematolymphoid malignancies were evaluated for demographics, clinical features, diagnostic workup, treatment, and follow-up outcomes.
Results: Six cases were identified (4% of 150 oral/oropharyngeal malignancies). The majority were elderly males (mean age 66.7 years; male-to-female ratio 5:1). Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) was the most common diagnosis (n=4, 67%), followed by multiple myeloma (n=1) and chronic myeloid leukemia in blast phase (n=1). The most frequently affected subsites were the hard palate and buccal mucosa. Treatment regimens were histology-specific: R-CHOP for NHL, imatinib for CML, and the VRD protocol for multiple myeloma. Complete remission was achieved in three patients (50%).
Conclusion: Hematolymphoid tumors are important diagnostic considerations for oral and oropharyngeal lesions. Incisional biopsy at early stage with immunohistochemical panel analysis is critical for accurate subtyping. Appropriately tailored systemic therapy can yield favorable outcomes even in elderly and comorbid patients.
Key words: Oral cavity; non-Hodgkin lymphoma; hematolymphoid tumors; multiple myeloma; chronic myeloid leukemia; immunohistochemistry; R-CHOP.