Journal of the American Dental Association, Vol 117, Issue 7, 849-850
Copyright © 1988 by American Dental Association
Large nonpainful swelling of the lower lip
KM Zussman,
RW Correll,
and
TR Schott
Wadsworth Division Dental Service, West Los Angeles, VA Medical Center, CA 90073.
The lipomas are slow-growing benign neoplasms. They are characterized by a smooth-surfaced, sessile or pedunculated, yellow-to-pink submucosal mass that is usually asymptomatic. Superficially situated lesions show a telangiectatic vascular network. Deeper lesions may only be noticed as a subtle swelling, making them difficult to detect and treat. Despite its relative infrequency in the mouth, clinicians should be aware of the possibility of lipoma when diagnosing nonulcerated, soft-tissue masses of the mouth. Proper treatment consists of surgical excision, histologic examination, and patient follow-up.