Rare Tongue Lump Caused by Mysterious Gel-Like Substance, Doctors Say
A woman in Mexico has baffled doctors with a strange lump that formed on her tongue over the course of six months. The lump was caused by a rare buildup of goo called oral focal mucinosis (OFM), a connective tissue disorder. This disorder typically causes a mass to form on the gums or hard palate, making the lump on the tongue even more unusual.
The buildup on the tongue is due to hyaluronic acid, a slippery substance naturally produced by connective tissues. In individuals with OFM, the production of this acid becomes excessive, leading to a buildup that forms a lump. The 72-year-old woman reported discomfort and pain while speaking and swallowing due to the lump.
The typical treatment for OFM involves surgical removal of the lump, followed by monitoring to ensure it doesn’t reappear. Recurrence rates are low, and thankfully, the condition is benign with no potential to cause cancer. In this particular case, the woman’s doctors successfully removed the tongue lump under local anesthetic, and it did not return after 10 months of monitoring.
The cause of such lumps is still a mystery to scientists. OFM was first described in medical literature in 1974, and since then, only about 100 cases have been formally documented. Out of these cases, only seven have been reported to affect the tongue. Some scientists speculate that the excessive production of hyaluronic acid may be a response to physical trauma or injury to the tissue.
Interestingly, the woman in this case had experienced a previous trauma to her tongue prior to the lump’s formation. However, the connection between trauma and OFM remains controversial and poorly understood.
Further research is needed to unravel the mysterious causes behind OFM and its specific connection to the tongue. However, the active role of mucin, including hyaluronic acid, in inflammatory signaling suggests intriguing possibilities for understanding and treating this rare condition.