Benign neoplasms of the oral cavity.

A wide variety of benign tumors present in the oral cavity. These tumors are for the most part rare and are classified by the tissue of origin. Although benign oral cavity tumors are not life-threatening, they can result in extensive loss of soft tissue and/or bone. Furthermore, many patients are subject to the threat of recurrence, multiple surgical procedures, and the possibility of malignant degeneration. Because many tumors vary little clinically, an adequate biopsy specimen must be obtained for diagnosis. Radiographs are, in general, nondiagnostic. Collaboration with an experienced pathologist is necessary to determine the tumor's probable clinical behavior. Therapy, which is dictated by tumor type, is almost always surgical.