Myxoid liposarcoma of the oral cavity with involvement of the periodontal tissues

Background, aims: Liposarcoma is the 2nd most frequent soft tissue sarcoma in adults, but it is extremely rare in the head and neck and, particularly, in the oral cavity. We report on a 25-year-old female who presented with a periodontal mass, extended from the right upper 3rd molar to the right upp er 2nd premolar, covered by intact oral mucosa. The clinical differential d iagnosis included peripheral giant cell granuloma, salivary gland neoplasms , squamous cell carcinoma of the gingiva, sarcoma and malignant lymphoma. Methods: To accurately plan subsequent treatment, an excisional biopsy was performed and a myxoid liposarcoma was diagnosed. Consequently, the patient underwent wide excision of the neoplasm with maxillary en-block resection. , Results: The post-operative course was uneventful and the patient is alive and well 8 years after the original diagnosis. The authors stress the impor tance of considering soft tissue sarcomas in the diagnostic approach to pat ients with unusual periodontal neoplasms and to plan adequate surgical samp ling of the lesion (i.e. excisional biospy). Conclusions: This appears of pivotal importance as more limited specimens m ay result in inaccurate pre-operative diagnosis.