Encapsulated Enigma: Surgical Resolution of a Lingual Lipoma Affecting Oral Functions

Lingual lipomas are uncommon benign tumors, accounting for < 0.5% of all tongue neoplasms, due to the limited adipose tissue in this region. They are usually asymptomatic and slow growing, which may delay detection. We report the case of a 50-year-old man with a 4-year history of a painless, progressively enlarging submucosal mass on the ventral surface of the tongue. Clinical examination revealed a 3 × 3 cm sessile, yellowish, well-circumscribed lesion with tense-elastic consistency. Given its benign appearance, no preoperative imaging was performed. The lesion was surgically excised under local anesthesia, and histopathological analysis confirmed a conventional lipoma composed of mature adipocytes without atypia or lipoblasts. The patient recovered uneventfully and regained full oral function within 2 months. This case emphasizes the importance of including lingual lipomas in the differential diagnosis of tongue masses. It suggests that, in selected cases, clinical assessment alone may be sufficient for diagnosis and treatment planning.