Oral Lipoma — ORE Part 1 MCQ

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EasyOral PathologyOral LipomaORE Part 1

A 55-year-old patient presents with a painless firm lump in the left buccal fat pad. It is mobile and well-circumscribed. The overlying mucosa is normal. Ultrasound shows a well-defined encapsulated mass. What is the most likely diagnosis?

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Correct answer: C — Lipoma

Lipoma is the correct answer. It is a benign mesenchymal neoplasm composed of mature adipocytes, characteristically slow-growing, painless, and well-circumscribed. The buccal fat pad is a recognized intraoral site for lipoma. The normal overlying mucosa and encapsulated ultrasound appearance confirm benign adipocytic origin. Pleomorphic adenoma, although a common intraoral mass, arises from salivary gland tissue (parotid, submandibular, or minor glands) and is not located within the buccal fat pad; it also typically arises on the palate rather than the cheek. Fibroma and neurofibroma are fibrous or neural proliferations, not encapsulated adipocytic masses. Lymphoma is excluded by the slow growth, mobility, normal mucosa, and benign imaging appearance.

Reference: Brucoli M, Arcuri F, Borello G, et al. Surgical technique of the transoral approach to remove a lipoma of the buccal fat pad. J Craniofac Surg. 2011;22(6):2415–2418. PMC case series and literature review (PMC6645264, PMC12921958, PMC6323424). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6645264/