[The most frequent tumor, an unusual site and risk of cancer].

Abstract

Lipoma is the most common benign tumor in adults. Its intraoral location is extremely rare, close to 1%. Its clinical presentation is variable, from an asymptomatic mass to dyspnea and dysphagia. Computed tomography allows adequate tumor definition for planning surgical tactics, with surgery being the only effective treatment for the patient's complete restitution. Its timely diagnosis together with effective surgical treatment avoids sustained mechanical trauma that, if it persists, could lead to the subsequent malignant transformation of the tumor. Here we describe the case of a soft tissue tumor with an unusual topographic location, inside the oral cavity, linked with pain during chewing, being this association truly uncommon. A high index of clinical suspicion allows rapid recognition of the tumor, in order to provide timely treatment, and avoiding perhaps the most feared complication, its transformation into a malignant neoplasm.