Oral candidiasis mimicking tongue cancer

Abstract

Candida species inhabit the mucosal surfaces of healthy individuals. Major forms of oral candidiasis are pseudomembranous and atrophic form, but chronic hyperplastic candidiasis (CHC) is rarely seen. We encountered a nodule caused by candidal infection on a forearm flap in the oral cavity mimicking a recurrent tongue cancer, which revealed as CHC by histopathological examination. Like other forms of oral candidiasis, the nodule well responded to the treatment of antifungal agents and eventually disappeared. When an intraoral nodule is observed, the possibility of CHC should be taken into consideration.