Clinicopathologic Study of Tongue Lesions at a Tertiary Care Hospital

ABSTRACT

Tongue lesions constitute a considerable proportion of oral mucosal lesions. Varying pathologic conditions may affect the tongue of which chronic lesions often necessitate biopsy and histological diagnosis.Most of the studies are based on clinical presentation of tongue lesions or histopathological study of oral cavity lesions as a whole. There are limited studies on clinico-pathologic review of histologically diagnosed tongue lesions which are mostly case specific. Lesions of tongue encompass a diverse spectrum of non-neoplastic and neoplastic entities. Varying pathologic conditions may affect the tongue of which chronic lesions often necessitate biopsy. Clinico-pathological correlation with microscopic examination helps in accurate diagnosis and management of patients.METHODSThis retrospective study included 192 tongue biopsies, and was conducted over a period of one year from January 2018 to December 2018 at a tertiary ENT hospital. Data on age, gender, tobacco usage, site distribution, type of lesion and histological diagnosis was analysed. RESULTSTongue lesions were seen in 133 males and 59 females. The predominant age group affected was the 5th decade of life accounting for 40 cases (20.8%). Biopsies of ulceroproliferative type of lesions were most commonly submitted. Neoplastic lesions constituted 137 cases (71.3 %) of total cases of which well differentiated squamous cell carcinoma was the most common malignant lesion accounting for 85 cases (44.2%). Using the WHO ICD-O code for topography of lesions, the tongue lateral border (ICD-O-2.1) was the most commonly affected site in the present study.CONCLUSIONSTongue lesions are relatively common in our environment with male predilection, above 40 years age group, strong association with tobacco usage, a predominance of neoplastic lesions, predilection for the lateral border of the tongue and squamous cell carcinoma as the most common histological diagnosis. The high frequency of tongue involvement emphasizes the importance of early adequate biopsy of elementary lesion. Histological characterization can help the clinician in planning early successful management of cases.