RESUMO
Context: Tongue lesions are quite common and affect both genders and all age groups. However, very few studies concentrate on the histopathological spectrum of tongue lesions, usually including them as a part of oral cavity lesions. No such study has been published from the newly formed state of Uttarakhand. Aim: A retrospective review of histopathology of various types of tongue lesions in different age groups of both genders, amongst cases reported in the department of pathology. Methods and Materials: Study included a total of 121 cases of tongue lesions reported in the histopathology section over a duration of five years, from July 2004 to June 2009. Result: In this study, the most common lesions were malignant (58.7%), followed by benign lesions (33%) and pre-malignant lesions (8.3%). The most common site for tongue lesions was base of tongue (52.8%). Common age groups affected were 41- 50 years (27.2%) and 51-60 years (28.0%). The most common clinical presentation was growth and induration. Overall males were affected more than females; with Male:Female ratio of 3.3:1. Conclusions: The commonest tongue lesion in this study was moderately differentiated squamous cell carcinoma among the malignant lesions whereas chronic inflammation was the commonest out of non-malignant lesions. Tongue may show some less common tumours like schwannoma and hemangioma etc.