A rare maxillofacial manifestation of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in a 9-year-old child

Abstract

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is considered as the most common malignant neoplasm of childhood and the frequent cause of death from cancer before 20-years of age. The facial swelling mimicking a maxillofacial tumor is rarely associated with ALL. Clinicians should be aware of such rare manifestation of ALL. We present a case with an atypical mass in the facial region secondary to ALL, which resulted in diagnostic dilemma. Reports of such atypical swelling in patients with ALL are occasional. The swelling was aggressive and the disease had a fulminant course.