Surgeons Remove Rare Bone Growth From Woman's Tongue
A recent case report details the successful removal of a rare tongue growth in a 45-year-old patient.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Cancer
Live Poll
Would you see a dentist if you noticed a painless, unexplained lump in your mouth?
Surgeons successfully removed a rare growth containing mature cortical bone from a 45-year-old woman's tongue in May 2026. Known as lingual osseous choristoma, this condition is uncommon, with just over 100 cases documented in medical literature.
Why it matters
While lingual osseous choristoma is a benign condition, its discovery often begins with routine dental checkups. Because these growths can cause discomfort, understanding their presentation helps patients recognize when an oral abnormality warrants professional evaluation.
A recent case report details a 0.6 by 0.5 by 0.3 centimeter growth in a 45-year-old patient, drawing from a literature base of just over 100 total documented cases. The growth was confirmed via microscopic analysis as mature cortical bone.
The players
SAGE Open Medical Case Reports
A peer-reviewed journal that publishes medical research and documented clinical case studies.
MedicalDaily
A health news outlet that covers medical discoveries and case studies.
The details
Lingual osseous choristoma is a rare developmental anomaly where normal bone tissue grows in an abnormal location. In this case, the mass was identified by a dentist during a routine exam and was surgically removed via an outpatient procedure under local anesthesia. Pathologists confirmed the presence of mature bone, and the patient remained recurrence-free two years after the operation.
Timeline
1913: Monserrat first described the condition lingual osteoma.
2020: A systematic review analyzed 69 patients with the condition.
May 22, 2026: The case report was described in SAGE Open Medical Case Reports.
October 2026: MedicalDaily reported on a separate case in China.
Health Landscape
This case sits within a small body of literature, with only about 100 cases identified historically. It follows the precedent set by the 2020 systematic review of 69 patients, which helps define the expected demographic and clinical behavior of these rare oral growths.
Since many of these growths are asymptomatic, they are frequently discovered during routine dental exams. Any persistent lump on the tongue should be discussed with your dentist or primary care physician to rule out uncommon oral conditions.
The takeaway
While lingual osseous choristoma is an extremely rare, benign finding, it underscores the value of regular professional oral examinations. If you notice a new or unusual lump in your mouth, make an appointment with your dentist or primary care physician for a standard evaluation.
Further reading
For more information on oral health developments, see Cancer.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Medical Daily.
Live Poll
Would you see a dentist if you noticed a painless, unexplained lump in your mouth?
