GINGIVAL ENLARGEMENT AS A DIAGNOSTIC INDICATOR IN LEUKEMIA - CASE-REPORT

The acute leukaemias are a group of neoplastic diseases that are chara cterized by proliferation of immature white cells in the bone marrow a nd/or blood and are often associated with severe leukopenia, anaemia a nd thrombocytopenia. Oral manifestations are more common in patients w ith acute leukaemia. Oral bleeding, gingival enlargement, ulceration a nd infection in patients with leukaemia have been described. Leukaemic infiltrates in the gingivae are commonly seen in acute monocytic leuk aemia. A case of acute monocytic leukaemia in a 34-year-old female who reported with gingival enlargement is presented here. The role of ora l lesions as a diagnostic indicator is discussed.