About A Month Ago, I Noticed Several Bumps On The

Posted on Sat, 26 Oct 2019

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Sat, 26 Oct 2019 Answered on

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Question : About a month ago, I noticed several bumps on the back of my tongue (I’ve had HPV in the past, tested negative on my last Pap smear). I recently quit smoking and was one of these vaping idiots. I use nicotine lozenges now.

Anyway, I just now noticed dark redness and a couple of small white bump on my palatopharyngeal arch and I am experiencing soreness. I’m hoping I don’t have cancer but this is something I absolutely should not ignore. If it is cancer, then I obviously need treatment immediately.

Answered by Dr. Chobufo Ditah (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
See a dentist!

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks so much for this query.

I understand your worries and fears about possible cancer given your previous HPV diagnosis, smoking and vaping experiences. However, your age argues against at this time. Also, lack of associated symptoms such as weight loss, nocturnal fevers, fatigue, etc.

I will however recommend you see a dentist for evaluation. If need be, he/she would perform a biopsy and the pathology results would be guiding. If treatment is warranted, options would be discussed thereafter. However, cancer is very unlikely at this time.

I hope this helps. I wish you well. Feel free to follow up with me as you please or as need be.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T