Lipoma

Epidemiology

The predominant tissue in the buccal space is adipose tissue. Lipoma is a common benign tumor arising in the buccal space, usually in adults. There is no reported gender predilection.

Clinical Findings

Patients with lipomas typically present with a long history of a slowly enlarging facial mass. The lesion is soft and nontender. It may enlarge in parallel to body weight gain.

Pathology

Lipomas are well-encapsulated tumors that consist of normal adult lipocytes. They may be mistaken for normal fatty tissue but there is always a fibrous capsule separating the lesion from the surrounding normal tissue. These tumors rarely undergo malignant transformation. Liposarcomas originate from lipoblasts within fascia rather than ordinary lipocytes.

Treatment