Haemangiopericytoma of the maxillary gingiva: report of a case

Aim: Haemangiopericytoma (HPC) represents approximately 3% of all tumours in the head and neck. This tumour is a soft tissue tumour derived from mesenchymal cells with pericytic differentiation. We present the clinicopathological findings of a case. Materials and Methods: A 69-year-old man was referred to our Department for a mass located on the right pre-molar maxillary gingiva; this mass caused problems during chewing, but was otherwise asymptomatic. Results: Clinical examination revealed a nodular, pink lesion, 3.5 cm in diameter, which was lined with normal mucosa. The lesion was mobile in relation to the deep and superficial tissues. Microscopic analysis of the neoplasm showed a vascular rich pattern, constituted by vessels covered with flat endothelium and surrounded by abundant spindly cells. On the basis of these histological and immunohistochemical findings, the final diagnosis was HPC. Conclusions: HPC is an uncommon vascular tumour for which the biological behaviour is difficult to predict. In our patient, no recurrences or distant metastases were present at a 4 years follow-up.