Pathology · single question
A lesion on the lateral tongue resembles a fibroma. The differential diagnosis includes all of the following EXCEPT:
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Correct answer: B. Verruca (wart/HPV lesion)
- A. Incorrect — granular cell tumor IS in the differential. It is a classic tongue tumor presenting as a smooth, firm, yellowish-white nodule.
- B. Correct — VERRUCA (viral wart) is the EXCEPTION for a fibroma-like lesion. A verruca is a ROUGH, PAPILLARY (cauliflower-like) lesion — it looks nothing like a smooth fibroma. You would not include verruca in the differential for a smooth, fibroma-like lateral tongue nodule. (A verruca would go in the differential for a papillary/rough-surfaced lesion.)
- C. Incorrect — schwannoma IS in the differential. Nerve sheath tumors can occur on the lateral tongue as smooth submucosal nodules.
- D. Incorrect — fibroma IS in the differential. It is the most common benign oral soft tissue tumor — smooth, dome-shaped.