Table 6. Benign Mesenchymal Tumors

BENIGN MESENCHYMAL TUMORS Overlying mucosa is normal unless traumatized; usually well-circumscribed, asymptomatic, slowly growing
Irritation fibroma	Firm or compressible
Epulis fissuratum (inflammatory fibrous hyperplasia)	Located adjacent to flange of removable denture; firm or compressible
Peripheral ossifying fibroma	Occursonly on gingiva; firm; sometimes ulcerated; sometimes vascular; may move teeth
Leiomyoma	Firm; sometimes vascular.
Rhabdomyoma	Firm; located in areas of skeletal muscle
Peripheral giant cell granuloma	Occurs only on gingiva or attached alveolar mucosa; vascular
Hemangioma	Congenital; compressible; vascular; circumscribed or diffuse
Lymphangioma	Congenital; compressible; usually diffuse; not vascular
Pyogenic granuloma	Vascular; compressible; frequently has rapid growth, ulcerated, bleeds easily
Lipoma	Encapsulated; compressible; sometimes yellow
Neuroma (traumatic or amputation neuroma)	Firm; usually tender to palpation; size of lesion is dependent upon size of involved nerve
Neurofibroma	Firm or compressible; non-tender; circumscribed or diffuse; may occur with neurofibromatosis
Schwannoma (neurilemoma)	Encapsulated; firm; non-tender;
Granular cell tumor	Firm; sometimes overlying surface is rough
Congenital epulis	Firm; congenital; occurs only on attached alveolar mucosa