Surgeons Remove Bone Growth From Patient Tongue
Medical professionals have documented the successful removal of a rare piece of mature bone found on a woman's tongue.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Cancer
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In May 2026, medical professionals reported a rare case involving a 45-year-old woman who underwent surgery to remove a growth from her tongue. The mass, identified as mature cortical bone, was diagnosed as lingual osseous choristoma after a routine dental checkup.
Why it matters
Lingual osseous choristoma is an exceptionally uncommon medical condition, with just over 100 cases recorded in medical literature. Identifying and removing such growths is necessary to confirm the nature of the mass and rule out more serious pathology.
The removed growth measured 0.6 by 0.5 by 0.3 centimeters. Pathologists confirmed the presence of mature cortical bone following the outpatient surgical procedure.
The players
SAGE Open Medical Case Reports
This peer-reviewed journal publishes medical case reports that contribute to the clinical knowledge base of rare conditions.
The details
The patient initially discovered the lump during a routine dental visit, which led to a surgical intervention performed under local anesthesia. Follow-up examinations revealed the patient remained free of the growth two years after the initial procedure.
Timeline
Monserrat first described the condition known as lingual osteoma in 1913.
A systematic review analyzed 69 patients with the condition in 2020.
The case report was described in SAGE Open Medical Case Reports on May 22, 2026.
Health Landscape
This case aligns with the historical documentation established by the 2020 systematic review of lingual osseous choristoma. It contributes to a specialized field of study where researchers track rare instances of heterotopic bone formation to better understand anatomical anomalies.
This case highlights the importance of routine dental checkups, as they can lead to the incidental discovery of rare soft tissue abnormalities. Early detection and professional diagnosis remain the most effective path for addressing oral health irregularities.
The takeaway
While the presence of bone in the tongue is rare, it underscores the necessity of investigating any unusual oral lumps with a healthcare professional. Routine checkups are vital for the early identification of conditions that require surgical intervention.
Further reading
Learn more about rare growths in the Cancer section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Medical Daily.
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