Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the gingiva. A case report.

An unusual case of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma with a progressive, necrotizing ulcer of the gingiva is reported. An establishment od diagnosis was difficult because of lack of malignancy in repeated biopsy specimens. Radiotherapy combined with administration of anti-tumor agents was effective in producing a rapid remission of the oral lesion, but multiple metastases appeared in the skin and the patient died 7 months after the onset of the initial symptoms. The tumor was regarded as being of gingival origin because of the absence of a primary focus in any other site of the body.