Benign cartilaginous tumor of the gingiva. A case report.

Benign cartilaginous tumors of the intraoral soft tissues are rare and are typically seen in the tongue, buccal mucosa, or soft palate. They comprise a diverse group of lesions that are usually defined as cartilaginous choristomas or chondromas. The case reported was located on the palatal maxillary gingiva of the first premolar of a 56-year-old white woman. It appeared as a small firm tumor covered by normal mucosa, with the underlying bone intact on radiographic examination. Histologic examination of the excised lesion revealed a circumscribed mass of cartilaginous tissue with occasional cells presenting atypical nuclear features. Two years after initial presentation, the patient is free of recurrence.