What should you do if you discover a swollen lesion on the tongue?

When encountering a swollen lesion on the tongue, palpating the lesion to assess its firmness is an important first step in gathering information about its nature. This examination can help differentiate between various types of lesions, such as benign conditions, inflammatory responses, or potential malignancies. Firmness can indicate a more serious underlying issue, while softer lesions may suggest benign causes such as cysts or swellings resulting from trauma.

Further, palpation is part of a thorough clinical examination, which is crucial before deciding on further investigative procedures, such as a biopsy or referral. It allows the clinician to assess characteristics like mobility, tenderness, and consistency of the lesion, which can guide the next stages of diagnosis and management.

Considering the context of the other options, immediately biopsying the lesion without preliminary assessment may be premature, as not all lesions warrant an invasive procedure without prior evaluation. Ignoring the lesion is inappropriate, as any persistent change in oral tissues should be investigated. Referring directly to an oncologist without assessing the lesion first may also overlook the possibility of less serious conditions that could be managed by a general practitioner or dentist. Thus, palpating the lesion is a sensible approach that aligns with the principles of clinical assessment.