Generalized Diffuse Gingival Enlargement- The First and Only Presenting Feature in Leukemia Patients: A Case Report
Main Article Content
Abstract
Gingival enlargement, also known as gingival overgrowth, refers to the abnormal and excessive proliferation of gingival tissue. This condition can stem from a variety of causes, and differential diagnosis should consider factors such as poor oral hygiene leading to inflammatory gingival hyperplasia, drug-induced enlargement, systemic diseases, genetic disorders, hyperplastic gingivitis, neoplastic, and non-specific conditions. Leukemia, a malignancy affecting white blood cells, poses significant health risks if not diagnosed and treated promptly. Oral manifestations can sometimes serve as the earliest and in some cases the only indicators of leukemia. Therefore, early recognition by dentists is crucial for timely diagnosis and treatment. This case report highlights the vital role of dentists in early diagnosis, underscoring the fact that oral abnormalities can be the first and only indicators of leukemia.
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
References
I. Gupta G, Gupta DK, Gupta N. leukemia causing gingival enlargement. Guident. 2020; 13.
II. Chennamadhavuni A, Iyengar V, Mukkamalla SKR, et al. Leukemia, Updated 2023, 17. In:
StatPearls, Internet. Treasure Island: StatPearls Publishing; 2025.
III. Agarwal A, Jain M, Kushwaha R, Tiwari S, Verma N, Tripathi AK. Mutation analysis and clinicopathological implications of isocitrate dehydrogenase 1/2 mutation in acute myeloid leukemia patients in North India: a tertiary centre based study. Saudi J of Pathol Microbiol. 2023; 8:23-9.
IV. Bodey GP. Oral complications of the myeloproliferative diseases. Postgraduate Medicine. 1971; 49:115-21.
V. Long RG, Hlousek L, Doyle JL. Oral manifestations of systemic diseases. Mt Sinai J of Med. 1998; 65:309-15. PMID: 9844357.
VI. Dreizen S, McCredie KB, Keating MJ, Luna MA. Malignant gingival and skin “infiltrates” in adult leukemia. Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology. 1983; 55:572-9.
VII. Osgood EE. Monocytic leukemia: report of six cases and review of one hundred and twenty-seven cases. Archives of Internal Medicine. 1937; 59:931-51.
VIII. Bressman E, Decter JA, Chasens AI, Sackler RS. Acute myeloblastic leukemia with oral manifestations: Report of a case. Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology. 1982; 54:401-3.
IX. Deliverska EG, Krasteva A. Oral signs of leukemia and dental management–literature data and case report. J of IMAB. 2013; 19:388-91.
X. Kumar M, Misra SR, Panda S, Das R. Gingival Enlargement, a Diagnostic Indicator of Leukaemia? Indian Journal of Public Health Research & Development. 2019; 10. Glickman, I. Clinical Periodontology. 9th ed. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders Co.; 2003. p. 215-9.
XI. Cooper CL, Loewen R, Shore T. Gingival hyperplasia complicating acute myelomonocytic leukemia. Journal of Canadian Dental Association. 2000; 66:78-9.
XII. Tallman MS, Kim HT, Paietta E, Bennett JM, Dewald G, Cassileth PA, Wiernik PH, Rowe JM. Acute monocytic leukemia (French-American-British classification M5) does not have a worse prognosis than other subtypes of acute myeloid leukemia: a report from the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group. Journal of clinical oncology. 2004; 22:1276-86.