A 16-year-old male was evaluated for a 1-month history of alveolar bone res
orption, which had been treated with endodontics by a neighborhood dentist.
Intraoral examination showed slight gingival swelling and teeth mobility.
However, no tumor mass was seen. The panoramic image showed resorption of a
lveolar bone and loss of teeth lamina dura. Because he complained of genera
l fatigue, he was introduced to the internist, Biopsies of gingiva and bone
marrow aspiration revealed a massive proliferation of lymphoblasts express
ing CD10, 19, 20 and HLA-DR antigens on the surface. Their karyotypes were
abnormal; 46, XY, t (8;14) (q24;q32). Accordingly, he was diagnosed as Burk
itt's lymphoma, and received intensive chemotherapy which relieved his symp
toms and decreased his tumor. However, his disease soon became refractory t
o chemotherapy, and he died 11 weeks after the onset.