Lumps can occur anywhere in the mouth: lips, gum tissue, cheeks, tongue, or palate. Such lumps or masses may develop quickly or gradually over months or even years. Some remain the same size and do not change their characteristics while others change in size, color, and symptoms such as pain. Most are benign masses and are not serious.
Common forms of oral lumps or masses
Fibroma:
- A benign mass that forms in response to irritation
- They appear round and smooth with defined borders
- They are often painless unless they have been traumatized during chewing
- Treatment is complete excision or removal for biopsy
Mucocele:
- A benign swelling that commonly occurs in the lower lip.
- A variation that forms in the floor of mouth under the tongue is called Ranula.
- It is due to ‘leaky’ ducts of damaged minor salivary glands of the lower lip.
- It often changes in size and recurs until treated.
- Treatment is complete excision of the lesion along with the damaged minor glands.
Inflammatory:
- Some masses are inflammatory due to either bacterial or viral infection.
- One common form is known as granuloma.
- Treatment is complete excision and biopsy.
Papilloma:
- A benign lesion that can occur anywhere in the mouth
- It is a soft lesion with a thin attachment to oral mucosa.
- It has appearance of ‘cauliflower’
- It is thought to be related to papilloma virus
- Treatment is complete excision and biopsy
Other masses may be related to:
- Nerve tissue
- Muscle
- Salivary tissue
- Bleeding- Hematoma