Pathology · single question
A patient presents with a bump on the tongue. Which lesion is LEAST likely in the differential?
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Correct answer: C. Pleomorphic adenoma
- A. Granular cell tumor has a marked predilection for the dorsal tongue.
- B. Lingual thyroid presents as a posterior midline dorsal tongue mass at the foramen cecum.
- C. Correct. Pleomorphic adenoma arises in major salivary glands (85% parotid) and minor glands of the palate/upper lip. The tongue has very few minor salivary glands, making this location distinctly uncommon.
- D. Traumatic fibroma is one of the most common tongue masses, from chronic biting.