Publication:

Schwannoma of the tongue: a case report and review of literature

Schwannomas are rare slow growing benign tumors arising from Schwann cells lining the nerve sheaths of myelinated nerves. Only 25 to 48% of the cases occur in the head and neck region with only 1% showing an intraoral origin. We present a case of lingual schwannoma in a 20 year old patient who presented with painless mass on right ventral surface of tongue, which was excised. The final histopathology report revealed a schwannoma. We report this case owing to rarity of disease. Tongue Schwannomas are rare, benign tumors with an excellent prognosis. Histology remains the gold standard for its diagnosis and Malignant transformation is rare after complete surgical excision. Schwannomas should be considered in the differential diagnosis whenever a benign looking mass is seen inside the oral cavity.