A Rare Case of Congenital Buccal Lipoblastoma in a Term Neonate

A lipoblastoma is a benign tumor of adipocytes originating from embryonic white fat and occurs in the pediatric population. Congenital lipoblastomas, however, are rare, and the incidence of these tumors in neonates is unknown. Due to their rare presentation, congenital oral lipoblastomas can, firstly, pose diagnostic challenges for the pediatrician and must be differentiated from the more commonly seen oral lesions in the newborn and other rare malignant growths. Secondly, these benign yet gradually enlarging tumors may result in obstructive and/or compressive symptoms, an important consideration for congenital tumors present in the facial, head, neck, and oral locations given impending airway compromise, dysphagia, and feeding difficulties associated with large growths. We report a rare case of congenital buccal lipoblastoma in a term female newborn presenting as a pedunculated mass arising from the left buccal mucosa. She underwent surgical excision, and histopathological analysis revealed the mass to be a lipoblastoma. Subsequently, the infant recovered well and has had no recurrence of the mass. Follow-up is recommended post-excision, given the risk of recurrence, which is higher with incomplete resection and lipoblastomatosis (a deep, infiltrative, ill-defined subtype of lipomatous tumors). The pleomorphic adenoma gene 1 (PLAG 1) gene overexpression has been implicated in a majority of lipoblastomas and may aid in the diagnosis of atypical tumors. Oral lipoblastoma should be considered in the differential diagnoses for newborns presenting with a mass or growth in the oral cavity.