Nonulcerated, sessile nodule of the lower lip

The intraoral lipoma is a slow-growing, usually asymptomatic, neoplasm of adipose tissue origin. The superficially located lipoma is fairly characteristic in its clinical appearance, a smooth-surfaced, yellowish-pink mass covered by a readily visible vascular network. The deep-seated tumors do not have this characteristic clinical appearance, and consequently are more difficult to detect and remove. Patients tend to overlook these lesions because they are so innocuous. Clinicians, however, should be aware of this uncommon neoplasm and consider it when diagnosing nonulcerated, soft tissue masses in the oral cavity. Surgical excision and microscopic examination are recommended for these lesions.