Benign tumors of adipose tissue of the oral cavity: a clinicopathologic study of 13 cases

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the clinical and histologic features of 9 simple lipomas, 2 fibrolipomas, and 2 infiltrating lipomas of the oral cavity. In addition, 10 cases of infiltrating lipoma of the oral cavity previously reported in the literature were reviewed.

Materials and methods: All cases were retrieved from the archives of the Department of Oral Medicine/Pathology of the University of Thessaloniki, Greece. Data on age, sex, location, clinical appearance, duration, recurrence, and histologic appearance were evaluated.

Results: This study showed that the sex distribution of the simple lipomas was approximately equal, and the mean age of patients was 60.2 years. The buccal mucosa was the most frequent location of the tumors. Their size ranged from 0.2 to 1.5 cm, with an average rate 0.8 cm. In 3 cases, the tumor was not encapsulated. The sex distribution of the infiltrating lipomas was equal, and the mean age of the patients was 36.8 years. The most frequent location was the tongue.

Conclusions: Tumors of adipose tissue represent rare neoplasms of the oral cavity. The diagnosis is based on both the clinical and histologic characteristics. Caution is required during their surgical excision to avoid recurrence, especially with infiltrating lipomas.