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Small White Patch On The Palato Pharyngeal Arch And Sore Throat. What Do You Suggest?

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Posted on Mon, 11 Nov 2013
Twitter Mon, 11 Nov 2013 Answered on
Twitter Tue, 3 Dec 2013 Last reviewed on
Question : I have a small white patch on the palato pharyngeal arch. It started with a sore throat, headache generally unwell for about a week Sore throat has gone but the white area is irritated by citrus fruits I am 45. Thanks
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Answered by Dr. Sumit Bhatti (43 minutes later)
Brief Answer: As below: Detailed Answer: Hi, Thank you for your query. 1. It is difficult to comment without an image of the white patch on the palatopharyngeal arch, but this seems most likely to be a part of the infection process. 2. Hence it is advisable to get an direct examination done. 3. Possible causes for the white patch are a patch of lymphoid tissue, thick mucopus, an ulceration or raw area (hence the citrus irritation), a tonsillolith, a foreign body, damaged / necrotic tissue or a fungal infection and so on. 4. A throat swab should be sent for culture and sensitivity. Routine blood tests and blood sugar estimation may be done. 5. Since you do not have any other symptoms, I would not expect any cause for worry. Regular medication and a medicated mouthwash should settle it. I hope I have answered your query. If you have any follow up queries, I will be available to answer them. Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Follow up: Dr. Sumit Bhatti (24 minutes later)
Thanks for your response I forgot to mention that the area was also red but as you say is all part pf the infection Is this likely to be a viral infection and I get anxious about these sort of things and if you type in white/ red patches into a search engine it always gives an indication of mouth cancer how would you tell the difference? Thanks
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sumit Bhatti (3 hours later)
Brief Answer: As below: Detailed Answer: Hi, Thank you for writing back. 1. Red color or congestion is more in favor of an infection. 2. This should settle with regular treatment. 3. Cancerous lesions are rare, persistent and do not regress with treatment. 4. Regular follow-up is the key to early detection of cancer. I hope I have answered your query. If you have any follow up queries, I will be available to answer them. Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Dr. Sumit Bhatti

Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist

Practicing since :1991

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Small White Patch On The Palato Pharyngeal Arch And Sore Throat. What Do You Suggest?

Brief Answer: As below: Detailed Answer: Hi, Thank you for your query. 1. It is difficult to comment without an image of the white patch on the palatopharyngeal arch, but this seems most likely to be a part of the infection process. 2. Hence it is advisable to get an direct examination done. 3. Possible causes for the white patch are a patch of lymphoid tissue, thick mucopus, an ulceration or raw area (hence the citrus irritation), a tonsillolith, a foreign body, damaged / necrotic tissue or a fungal infection and so on. 4. A throat swab should be sent for culture and sensitivity. Routine blood tests and blood sugar estimation may be done. 5. Since you do not have any other symptoms, I would not expect any cause for worry. Regular medication and a medicated mouthwash should settle it. I hope I have answered your query. If you have any follow up queries, I will be available to answer them. Regards.