<human>: I just found a stalk like growth on the back left side of my tongue.  I had a sensation that I had something in my mouth (like a piece of food or something) but i couldnt dislodge it.  Looked in the mirror and was shocked to see this 1/4 inch long stalk like growtChatDoctoring out of my tongue
<bot>: Hi, As you saw in the mirror and found out the growth, it suggests that you do not have pain in the area. Any unusual growth on the tongue or any other area in the mouth should be physically examined by the dentist promptly. There are many reasons that can cause growth on the tongue. I can explain you some of them here:- our tongue normally has many papillae on tongue that give us the sensation of taste and temperature. If these papillae get irritated due to some foods, hormones or stress, they might get enlarged and show the growth. It usually requires no treatment and disappears on its own.- A viral infection can also cause such growth, mostly Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). It usually has a stalk like structure as you described. Furthermore, it can be removed with surgery or laser. - If there is continuous irritation in the area, it can give rise to traumatic fibrous. It is pink and painless. For the treatment, the irritating factor has to be removed along with fibrous.- There are lymphatic glands present in the area that may get enlarged due to bacterial infection. The growth resolves when the infection is treated with antibiotics.- Last but not the least, it could be cancerous though most growths on the tongue are not. In that case, it may need to be biopsied, and according to the stage of the cancer, surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy are given. However, a growth on the tongue should not be ignored and should be diagnosed and treated as soon as possible. I hope this information helps. Thank you for choosing Chat Doctor. I wish you get cured of the swelling soon. Best,