Lipoma in oral mucosa: two case reports

Abstract

Lipoma is a common tumor of soft tissue. Its location on the oral mucosa is rare, representing 1% to 5% of benign oral tumors although it is the most mesenchymal tumor of the trunk and proximal por-tions of extremities. Lipoma of the oral cavity may occur in any region. The buccal mucosa, tongue, and floor of the mouth are among the common locations. The clinical presentation is typically as an asymptomatic yellowish mass. The overlying epithelium is intact, and superficial blood vessels are usually evident over the tumor. Other benign connective tissue lesions such as granular cell tumor, neurofibroma, traumatic fibroma and salivary gland lesions (mucocele and mixed tumor) might be included in differential diagnosis. We present two cases of oral lipoma in unusual locations: one in junction of soft and hard palate and the other in tongue. Both were rare in the literature.

Keywords: Differential diagnosis; Lipoma; Pathology.

Figure 1

Soft, sessile mass between soft and posterior hard palate, in a 50 year-old man

Figure 2

(A) Submucosal mass on the lateral border of the dorsal part of the tongue. (B) Gross picture of lipoma on the dorsal part of the tongue. (C) Lobulated mass with fibrosis capsule (H & E staining, original magnification X100). (D) Mature fat cells (H & E staining, original magnification X400)