Clinicopathological study of oral focal mucinosis: a retrospective case series

BACKGROUND: Oral focal mucinosis (OFM) is a rare soft tissue lesion of unknown etiology that exhibits tumor-like growth. It is considered the oral counterpart of cutaneous focal mucinosis or cutaneous myxoid cyst. This is a retrospective study of oral OFM diagnosed over a period of 42 years at an oral pathology service. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Clinical, histopathological and immunohistochemical data were analyzed. Alcian blue staining and S-100 immunohistochemistry were performed. RESULTS: Eleven cases were retrieved (4:1 female-to-male ratio). The mean age was 44 years. The gingiva was the most affected site. The main clinical presentation was sessile or pedunculated lesions of fibrous or hyperplasic appearance, most of them asymptomatic. Positive Alcian blue staining and absence of S-100 protein were observed in all specimens, which supported the histological diagnosis of OFM. Surgical excision was the treatment of choice. CONCLUSIONS: Although rare, this study supports the inclusion of OFM in the differential diagnosis of intraoral myxoid lesions. Key words:Oral focal mucinosis, myxomatous lesion, connective tissue diseases, diagnosis.