Lipoma of the Tongue: A Case Report

Abstract

A lipoma is the most frequently occurring benign tumor of adipose tissue. Its prevalence in the head and neck region is approximately 15–20%, while in the oral cavity, it accounts for only 1–4% of all benign tumors. The occurrence of tongue lipomas represents just 0.3% of all tongue tumors. The buccal mucosa is the most
common location for lipomas in the oral cavity, making tongue lipomas quite rare. In the oral cavity, these lesions typically present as slow-growing with a distinctive yellow hue and a soft texture. This condition mainly affects adults, and surgical removal is the preferred treatment method. A 56-year-old man presented with a mass on the right lateral side of his tongue that he had had for the past 12 years. Over the last 2 years, he experienced challenges with speech and eating due to the tumor’s gradual growth. Upon clinical evaluation,
a yellowish superficial lesion was observed, measuring 5 cm at its largest diameter, protruding from the surface of the tongue. The tumor was surgically removed, leading to the restoration of normal tongue function, and histopathological analysis confirmed that it was a simple lipoma. When a slow-growing, painless, and well-defined lesion appears on the tongue, one should consider lipomas despite their rarity. Surgical removal of a lipoma is recommended to provide symptom relief and to rule out the possibility of related malignancy.