Chronic lymphocytic leukemia presenting as gingival swelling and tooth mobility

Chronic-lymphocytic-leukemia (CLL) is the most prevalent leukemia in developed countries, caused by monoclonal proliferation of CD5+ B-cells and accumulation of mature-appearing-neoplastic lymphocytes in blood, bone marrow, and secondary lymphoid organs. Oral manifestations of CLL are infrequent and rarely reported in literature. We report a new case of a 67-year old man who presented with the complaints of tooth mobility and gingival swelling. Extra-oral examination was remarkable for cutaneous pallor and bilateral cervical lymphadenopathy involving the submandibular, and deep cervical lymph nodes on both sides of the neck. Complete blood count revealed normal red blood cell count (4.25 x 106/mu l), normal platelet count (136 x 103/mu l) and increased white blood cell count (25.3 x 103/mu l). Differential white blood cell count showed marked lymphocytosis (88%), and blood film revealed the presence of leukocytosis, with small mature-looking lymphocytes, and mild thrombocytopenia. A flow cytometry immune-phenotyping revealed that 55% of peripheral blood cells were monoclonal B-lymphocytes expressing CD19, CD20, CD23, CD200, CD22, CD5, CD38, CD11c, sIgD and Kappa light chain confirming the diagnosis of CLL. Oral healthcare professionals should consider systemic causes, such as CLL, in the differential diagnosis of generalized tooth mobility and gingival swelling, particularly in patients with associated symptoms such as lymphadenopathy, fever, weight loss, and general fatigue.