Chondrolipoma of the Tongue: A Rare Case Report

Abstract

Chondrolipoma is an extremely rare benign mesenchymal tumour characterised by mature adipose tissue with cartilaginous metaplasia. It is uncommon in the oral cavity, and when it occurs intraorally, the tongue is among the most frequently reported sites. This case report describes a 30-year-old female patient who presented with a painless swelling on the left side of the tongue that had been present for 20 years. The lesion involved the dorsal surface, lateral border and ventral surface of the tongue and caused difficulty in mastication because of its size. Clinical examination suggested a benign soft-tissue lesion, and fibroma was considered as the provisional diagnosis. Ultrasonography showed a well-defined hyperechoic lesion with minimal vascularity, while MRI demonstrated a well-defined lesion with peripheral fat intensity and central post-contrast enhancement. Based on radiological findings, lipohaemangioma was considered. Excisional biopsy was performed, and histopathological examination revealed an encapsulated tumour composed of mature adipocytes arranged in lobules with areas of cartilaginous metaplasia and no cellular atypia. These features confirmed the diagnosis of chondrolipoma. The case highlights the diagnostic challenge posed by long-standing tongue swellings and reinforces the need for clinical, radiological and histopathological correlation. Complete surgical excision provided both diagnosis and treatment, with satisfactory postoperative healing.