Spindle cell hemangioma: report of a case presenting in the oral cavity

Background:  Spindle cell hemangioma, formerly termed spindle cell hemangioendothelioma, is an uncommon benign vascular tumor. Presentation in the oral cavity is rare with only two previously reported cases. Methods:  We report a case of spindle cell hemangioma that presented as an asymptomatic mass of the buccal mucosa in a 44‐year‐old man. Results:  The tumor was a well‐circumscribed vascular proliferation of spindled to epithelioid endothelial cells. Tumor cells with intracytoplasmic vascular lumens were present in several areas. Larger, ectatic, thin‐walled vessels lined by a single layer of flattened endothelial cells were evident at the periphery and focally in more cellular areas. The tumor was positive for CD31 and CD34. Conclusions:  Spindle cell hemangioma rarely presents in the oral cavity and needs to be considered in the differential diagnosis of oral cavity vascular tumors to avoid misdiagnosis as a more aggressive vascular tumor.