Gingival leukemic infiltration as the first manifestation of acute myeloid leukemia

Abstract

Leukemic infiltration of the gingival tissue associated or not with gingival enlargement may be the first manifestation of acute leukemia, despite being rarely reported in the literature. A 10-year-old female patient presented with a 1-month history of an asymptomatic, firm, and pinkish-red generalized gingival overgrowth. There was no bone resorption. Incisional biopsy of the gingival tissue was performed, with histopathological examination revealing a diffuse and hypercellular infiltration of monocytoid cells. The patient was referred to a hematologist and underwent a bone marrow biopsy, which led to a conclusive diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia. The patient was treated with chemotherapy and we observed regression of gingival enlargement after 4 weeks from the initial therapy.

Keywords: acute myeloid leukemia; gingival enlargement; gingival leukemic infiltration; gingival overgrowth; leukemia.