Lipomas are benign tumors of fat cells usually occurring in adults in the sixth and seventh decade. Sometimes lipomas are seen in syndromes such as multiple endocrine neoplasia Type I.
Patients notice a soft, painless, slow-growing swelling in the mouth.
Some fatty tumors of the buccal mucosa are not true lipomas but rather herniation of the buccal fat pad, especially during or after surgery in the area.
Lipoma - Oral Mucosal Lesion
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Important News & Links
Synopsis
Codes
ICD10CM:
D17.9 – Benign lipomatous neoplasm, unspecified
SNOMEDCT:
93163002 – Lipoma
D17.9 – Benign lipomatous neoplasm, unspecified
SNOMEDCT:
93163002 – Lipoma
Look For
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Diagnostic Pearls
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Differential Diagnosis & Pitfalls
- Oral lymphoepithelial cysts – These tend to occur on the posterior ventral tongue, floor of mouth and in Waldeyer's ring (palate and oropharynx).
- Dermoid and epidermoid cysts –These tend to occur in the floor of mouth, often in the midline, in younger patients, and are generally doughier in consistency, and larger.
- Hyperplastic lymphoid/tonsillar tissue – This occurs in sites where lymphoid tissue is normally found such as Waldeyer's ring.
- Hyperplastic sebaceous glands (Fordyce spots) – These are generally not nodular, but rather papular and small.
- Granular cell tumor of the tongue – This is in the deep mucosa and presents as a firm mucosal mass rather than a sessile nodule.
Best Tests
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Management Pearls
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Therapy
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Drug Reaction Data
Below is a list of drugs with literature evidence indicating an adverse association with this diagnosis. The list is continually updated through ongoing research and new medication approvals. Click on Citations to sort by number of citations or click on Medication to sort the medications alphabetically.
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References
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Last Updated:12/07/2021
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Lipoma - Oral Mucosal Lesion
See also in: Overview