Glomus tumor in the buccal mucosa: A case report and review of the literature

Abstract

Glomus tumors are rare benign neoplasms usually occurring in the upper and lower extremities. However, oral cavity involvement is rare, with only a few case reports. We present a 37-year-old male patient with a chief complaint of an exophytic lesion in the left buccal mucosa for one year referred to our center. At the time, he did not have any pain or lymphadenopathy. The patient underwent surgery using a high-power CO₂ laser. His histopathological examination revealed a glomus tumor. After 2 years of follow-up, no evidence of recurrence was detected. Glomus tumors should be taken seriously when patients have a painless exophytic bluish lesion in the buccal mucosa.

Keywords: Floor of mouth; glomus tumor; oral surgery.

Figure 1

Exophytic lesion in the left buccal mucosa before (a) and after (b) surgery, using a high-power CO₂ laser

Figure 2

Histopathological features of glomus tumor. (a) Homogeneous glomus cells with punch-out nuclei in the perivascular area (H&E staining, 400×). (b) A well-circumscribed mesenchymal tumor with the perivascular distribution of round cells (H&E staining, 100×)