Background

Oral lipomas are benign tumors of mesenchymal origin, usually diagnosed in the fourth or fifth decade of life. They commonly present as slow-growing, asymptomatic lesions, soft on palpation, and are often found on the buccal mucosa and less frequently in the tongue, floor of the mouth, lips, palate, and gingiva.

Objective

The presentation of a case of an intraoral lipoma of uncommon size on the buccal mucosa, interfering with the dental occlusion of the patient, and discussion of the differential diagnosis of soft tissue tumors.

Methods

A 47‐year‐old woman with an unremarkable medical history was referred to a maxillofacial department for painless swelling on the left buccal mucosa for about 1 year that interfered with her dental occlusion and speaking. The patient mentioned that she moved the mass out of her mouth during mastication. The lesion was pedunculated, solid, about 4 cm in diameter, soft on palpation, and presented an indentation due to the occlusal interference.

Results

The differential diagnosis of intraoral lipoma consists of entities such as oral dermoid and epidermoid cysts, oral lymphoepithelial cysts, benign salivary gland tumors, benign mesenchymal neoplasms, ranula, ectopic thyroid tissue, and lymphoma. Excisional biopsy was done under local anesthesia and the microscopic examination led to the diagnosis of intraoral lipoma. There were no complications during or after surgery and no sign of recurrence.

Conclusions

Oral lipomas are usually asymptomatic lesions, unless they grow large and interfere with speaking and mastication. Surgical excision is the main treatment. Histologic examination is important in determining the final diagnosis.