Oral melanoma on the tongue: what to know

Tongue melanoma may look like a brown, black, grey, or mixed-colour patch, nodule, thickened area, ulcer, or bleeding spot. The tongue can also develop benign pigmentation, irritation from teeth, and inflammatory sores, so colour alone is not diagnostic. The clinician examines the lesion closely, checks its movement and texture, and feels the neck for enlarged lymph nodes. A biopsy provides the tissue diagnosis; scans may show whether disease extends beyond the original area.

Arrange an appointment with a dentist, doctor, or oral medicine service, and describe when the tongue change began and how it has altered. Avoid biting or rubbing it and do not delay review while trying mouth rinses. Confirmed melanoma is managed by a specialist team. Depending on its extent, care may involve Surgical Excision, Tumour Removal Surgery, lymph-node assessment, or Immunotherapy.

Seek prompt care for a tongue patch or lump that persists, enlarges, darkens, bleeds, ulcerates, or causes pain. Difficulty moving the tongue, speaking, chewing, or swallowing, or a new neck lump, should also be reported. Breathing difficulty, rapidly worsening swelling, or bleeding that does not settle needs urgent medical help. These signs guide urgency; they do not by themselves prove melanoma.

Ask whether the lesion needs biopsy, what the pathology means, whether scans or Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy are appropriate, and how surgery might affect speech, swallowing, or taste. Ask when Follow-Up After Cancer Treatment begins.