Lipoma of the hypopharynx. A case report and a review of the literature.

The clinical and pathological-anatomical features of lipomas of the hypopharynx, based on a review of 23 cases presented in the literature and exemplified by a new case, are discussed. The tumour may be solitary or multiple and appears mostly in men over the age of forty. Although it may reach a considerable size, it may be asymptomatic, until it appears in the mouth or suffocation occurs. Recurrences are rare but metachronous multiple lipomas may appear. Long-term follow-up is therefore recommended. The difficulties of differential diagnosis between lipomas and well-differentiated liposarcomas are discussed.