Gum Hypertrophy- Warning Sign of acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML M2): A Case Report

Many systemic diseases are early indicated by oral manifestations. Among such systemic diseases Leukemia is one which shows characteristic oral manifestations. Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is characterized by maturation arrest of myeloid cells which leads to increase in number of myeloblasts in the bone marrow and hemopoietic insufficiency. Patients with AML in general may present with a wide variety of (atypical) symptoms, which may range from minor symptoms to lifethreatening complications. Gingival hyperplasia is most commonly seen with the AML subtypes acute monocytic leukemia (M5) and acute myelomonocytic leukemia (M4). Here, an unusual case of diffuse gum hypertrophy in a 25 year old Asian female which led to laboratory studies yielding a rapid and relatively early diagnosis of acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML M2) was reported. This case emphasizes that clinicians and dentists should be well acquainted with the oral manifestations of systemic diseases and stresses the role of gingival hypertrophy as a diagnostic indicator in leukemia.