Vascular neoplasms in the differential diagnosis of gingival growths

Neoplastic gingival enlargements include a variety of benign and malignant tumors, however, vascular tumors such as hemangiomas and lymphangiomas occurring primarily on the gingiva is an uncommon event. Hemangiomas are benign tumors of blood vessels which are classified into cavernous and capillary type based on histology. Similarly, lymphangiomas are benign, hamartomatous tumors of lymphatic vessels which do not communicate with the rest of the lymphatic systems. Both tumors show a marked predilection for head and neck region (hemangioma-60%; lymphangioma-50-75%); yet intra-oral occurrence especially on the gingiva is very rare. Thus, the aim of this paper is to present two cases, one each of hemangioma and lymphangioma of gingiva. It is also warranted that these tumors should be included in the differential diagnosis of gingival enlargement.