Cystic isolated lymphoma of the base of the tongue: A case report

Isolated lymphoma of the base of the tongue is a relatively rare condition. The clinical presentation may vary from a submucosal mass with a cystic appearance to an ulcerated lesion. In the present case, a cystic mass was identified in a patient admitted with a sore throat. Pathological examination confirmed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. The clinical and pathological picture of lymphomas covers a wide spectrum and the rate of occurrence in the oral cavity is 3–5%. Among all malignant tumors of the oral cavity, lymphomas represent the third most common type of tumor, following squamous cell carcinoma and salivary gland neoplasms. Lymphomas of the oral cavity mostly arise from the Waldeyer ring, which is a lymphoid tissue. In our case, no recurrence was observed during the 8-month follow-up period after the patient was administered chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy. In conclusion, although isolated lymphoma of the base of the tongue is extremely rare, it should always be considered in patients presenting with a sore throat and the sensation of a foreign body in the throat.