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What Causes Slim Lesion Near Tonsil In Mouth?
Question: On Tuesday I had a mucous cyst removed from my lip by a dermatologist. Before I had it done I was looking in my mouth and noticed a slim oval lesion, I guess you would call it , the same color as the surrounding tissue, on my right tonsil/ pillar. I had never seen it before, but I really never looked before either. I asked the dermatologist and she said it was nothing "clinically disturbing". I went to a GP yesterday who said it was similar to what I had on my lip, probably caused by hot liquids or irritation from chips, etc. She assured me it was nothing to worry about. I do not remember eating or drinking anything like that. I had to point out the area to both of them, so I wonder if they really saw it. I am rather paranoid because my cousin has just had his second bout of oral cancer of the tongue. He is 56 and was a heavy drinker/smoker. I am a 65 yr old female. Never smoked and drink very, very, very, little. The GP said cancer of oral cavities look red with irritated centers like if you scratched a mosquito bite and it bled. She said we have lots of bumps and irregularities in the mouth cavity. I am leaving on vacation Sunday and want to stop worrying about this. I sent a picture. The "lesion" is on my right tonsil/pillar close to the red line looking thing in the picture, on my right side. No HPV virus, no sore throat, no difficulty swallowing. PLEASE can u tell me if you think this could be cancer, or what it is?? I have goggled w/o answers.
THX
THX
Brief Answer:
I really cannot say with the currently attached image, very unclear
Detailed Answer:
Hello ma'am and welcome.
Thank you for writing to us.
I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. If you do not mind, please do attach a more clear image to our discussion so I could provide you with my honest opinion on the matter ma'am. :)
Best wishes.
I really cannot say with the currently attached image, very unclear
Detailed Answer:
Hello ma'am and welcome.
Thank you for writing to us.
I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. If you do not mind, please do attach a more clear image to our discussion so I could provide you with my honest opinion on the matter ma'am. :)
Best wishes.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I SPECIFICALLY ASKED FOR AN ENT DR. Can u send this to an ENT PLEASE??? How do I submit another picture
Brief Answer:
I am sure I can help you; pls look for the attach option or email me
Detailed Answer:
Hello once again ma'am.
I am sorry, but the query was transferred to me, and I would be more than happy to help you with my expertise. Once the question is taken up by one doctor, it is unfortunately not possible to send it over to another; but please do not worry, I am more than sure I can help you with your query, as I have had and continue to have more than enough experience and training in ENT including other fields.
There should be an option on your window to attach files to our discussion, unfortunately as I am not shown the same screen (as I am on the receiving end), I cannot tell you exactly where to find that. But if you cannot find it, then you can also email me more clear images of the region to:
YYYY@YYYY
with 'ATTN: Dr. Shoaib Khan' in the subject line. I would be more than happy to help you with your query.
Best wishes ma'am.
I am sure I can help you; pls look for the attach option or email me
Detailed Answer:
Hello once again ma'am.
I am sorry, but the query was transferred to me, and I would be more than happy to help you with my expertise. Once the question is taken up by one doctor, it is unfortunately not possible to send it over to another; but please do not worry, I am more than sure I can help you with your query, as I have had and continue to have more than enough experience and training in ENT including other fields.
There should be an option on your window to attach files to our discussion, unfortunately as I am not shown the same screen (as I am on the receiving end), I cannot tell you exactly where to find that. But if you cannot find it, then you can also email me more clear images of the region to:
YYYY@YYYY
with 'ATTN: Dr. Shoaib Khan' in the subject line. I would be more than happy to help you with your query.
Best wishes ma'am.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I sent two more pictures, the best I can get, It is VERY hard photographing the inside of ones mouth. There are no white spots in my mouth, that is from the flash. I just want answers and now I have used up my two follows and have NOTHING!! It really is very disturbing when I specifically asked for a ENT. It is a slim oval same color as tissues and is on the right tonsil/pliiar near the red line u see on the right. Do u think it could be cancerous and if not what is it and what causes it?
Brief Answer:
Not cancerous, your doctor was only partially correct, hope this helps :)
Detailed Answer:
Hello once again ma'am.
My sincere apologies for the misunderstanding that took place with the transfer or direction of your query.
Let me start off by saying that this is in no way linker to cancer, and your presentation is not cancerous. Your doctor was only partially correct in pointing towards the possible cause for the presentation. Because although completely harmless, your presentation can indicate a number of possible causes, I shall go ahead and list as many as possible for your better understanding and reference:
+Acid reflux: It is the reflux of acid from the stomach region, into that oral cavity that can cause irritation of your tonsils, heartburn, bitter taste in the mouth, etc.
+Common cold
+Allergic reaction: This can take place due to common indoor allergens, dust or any other substance that can trigger a very mild allergic reaction (resembling your presentation)
+Thermal burn (as your doctor stated): caused by hot liquids or food
+Alcohol
+Exposure to smoke
+Thyroid nodules
+Developing infection (tonsillitis, mumps, etc.)
+Gastric conditions (E.g. hiatus hernia, gastroesophageal reflux disease, gastritis, etc.)
and a few others.
Almost all of the possible causes are simple and should not raise cause for concern. The presentation shall subside on its own, and you need not really worry. But if from the above provided list, you can narrow down the possible cause, then avoiding it completely can help accelerate recovery.
I hope you find my response helpful ma'am. Once again, my deepest apologies for the misunderstanding or mistake committed by the query direction team. I hope I have helped by providing all the information you were seeking. Please feel free to write to me anytime, I am always here to help.
Best wishes.
Not cancerous, your doctor was only partially correct, hope this helps :)
Detailed Answer:
Hello once again ma'am.
My sincere apologies for the misunderstanding that took place with the transfer or direction of your query.
Let me start off by saying that this is in no way linker to cancer, and your presentation is not cancerous. Your doctor was only partially correct in pointing towards the possible cause for the presentation. Because although completely harmless, your presentation can indicate a number of possible causes, I shall go ahead and list as many as possible for your better understanding and reference:
+Acid reflux: It is the reflux of acid from the stomach region, into that oral cavity that can cause irritation of your tonsils, heartburn, bitter taste in the mouth, etc.
+Common cold
+Allergic reaction: This can take place due to common indoor allergens, dust or any other substance that can trigger a very mild allergic reaction (resembling your presentation)
+Thermal burn (as your doctor stated): caused by hot liquids or food
+Alcohol
+Exposure to smoke
+Thyroid nodules
+Developing infection (tonsillitis, mumps, etc.)
+Gastric conditions (E.g. hiatus hernia, gastroesophageal reflux disease, gastritis, etc.)
and a few others.
Almost all of the possible causes are simple and should not raise cause for concern. The presentation shall subside on its own, and you need not really worry. But if from the above provided list, you can narrow down the possible cause, then avoiding it completely can help accelerate recovery.
I hope you find my response helpful ma'am. Once again, my deepest apologies for the misunderstanding or mistake committed by the query direction team. I hope I have helped by providing all the information you were seeking. Please feel free to write to me anytime, I am always here to help.
Best wishes.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you Dr. I am not irritated with you, as they sent the ? to you. I do not really relate to any of the causes, except I have had a runny nose and sneezing for the last couple of days. Were u able to see the "lesion" on the photos I resent?
As long as I know it is not cancer, I can rest easy. How does cancer differentiate?
THX and God Bless u.
Dr my husband went on line and asked and this is what another Dr said, NOW I AM SCARED TO DEATH~~~ please what do u think?? PLEASE answer me!!! I will pay more if need be.
Hi XXXX.
first thins I must tell you that on appearance it doesn't look like any cancer. But, what you feel by fingers is more important than what u see. This means that a normal appearing smooth swelling can be cancer especially in elderly people if it is indurated on palpation.
If u have symptoms or any other swelling in neck, that's reason to worry.
only way a doctor can tel u that a bulge is not cancer is by biopsy also known as histopathology examination, now a days PET scan is also helpful, but still biopsy remains gold standard
Give Feedback: Like the Answer Thumbs Down
Answered by: Dr XXXXXXX
Your Query
Now you have scared me to death!! What exactly do u mean by indurated on palpitation?
I nearly choked myself pushing back there with my finger, it feels pretty much like the rest of the area, I pushed at it with a QTip and it moves back and forth. I have no neck swelling. PLEASE explain further, quickly!!!
Age of the patient: 65 Years, Patient's gender: Female
As long as I know it is not cancer, I can rest easy. How does cancer differentiate?
THX and God Bless u.
Dr my husband went on line and asked and this is what another Dr said, NOW I AM SCARED TO DEATH~~~ please what do u think?? PLEASE answer me!!! I will pay more if need be.
Hi XXXX.
first thins I must tell you that on appearance it doesn't look like any cancer. But, what you feel by fingers is more important than what u see. This means that a normal appearing smooth swelling can be cancer especially in elderly people if it is indurated on palpation.
If u have symptoms or any other swelling in neck, that's reason to worry.
only way a doctor can tel u that a bulge is not cancer is by biopsy also known as histopathology examination, now a days PET scan is also helpful, but still biopsy remains gold standard
Give Feedback: Like the Answer Thumbs Down
Answered by: Dr XXXXXXX
Your Query
Now you have scared me to death!! What exactly do u mean by indurated on palpitation?
I nearly choked myself pushing back there with my finger, it feels pretty much like the rest of the area, I pushed at it with a QTip and it moves back and forth. I have no neck swelling. PLEASE explain further, quickly!!!
Age of the patient: 65 Years, Patient's gender: Female
Brief Answer:
My apologies for the delay
Detailed Answer:
Hello once again ma'am.
My apologies for the delay as I got busy with work at the hospital.
The runny nose and sneezing could have possibly been due to an allergic reaction (possibly dust allergy, cannot be sure), and so anti-histamines may help.
Presentation of cancer can occur in many different ways ma'am, let me try and describe as many as I can think go:
+A growth in the mouth, mostly whitish or cream in colour, with irregular surface, quite easily distinguishable (usually a papilloma)
+Entire back of your throat/oral cavity swells up (appearing to look like an individual gland, reduced size of your your uvula, whitish discolouration in different places
+Pus accumulation in pancreatic crypts
+Swelling in the throat/oral cavity (usually requiring palpation)
+Oral ulcers that do not heal no matter what is tried
+Numbness if various places in the oral cavity, especially the tongue
+Unexplained pain
+Difficulty moving your jaw
+White patches in the oral cavity
It actually depends on a physical examination, as the doctor will be able to distinguish more clearly.
Unfortunately, your pictures were not that clear, but they were clear enough to help me distinguish. But I think they did the job ma'am. :)
As for Dr. Alok's response: He is not providing you with any inaccurate information, in fact it is all accurate. But it is also important to physically and visually examine your patients oral cavity and determine whether or not this patient will require further investigations (e.g. biopsy and PET scan as described by Dr. Alok).
In my opinion, with the visual examination I do not see the necessity of any further investigations ma'am. I am sure even Dr. XXXXXXX feels like there is nothing to worry about, but just chose to give you that information.
Along with the fact that you tried palpating it yourself and it felt like the rest of your cavity, and that the region is easily XXXXXXX when pushed with a Qtip are all indicators towards a non-cancerous state.
Don't worry ma'am, I am almost completely sure that all is well so do not worry. Please do not hesitate to write to me for any further clarifications, I am always here to help.
Best wishes.
My apologies for the delay
Detailed Answer:
Hello once again ma'am.
My apologies for the delay as I got busy with work at the hospital.
The runny nose and sneezing could have possibly been due to an allergic reaction (possibly dust allergy, cannot be sure), and so anti-histamines may help.
Presentation of cancer can occur in many different ways ma'am, let me try and describe as many as I can think go:
+A growth in the mouth, mostly whitish or cream in colour, with irregular surface, quite easily distinguishable (usually a papilloma)
+Entire back of your throat/oral cavity swells up (appearing to look like an individual gland, reduced size of your your uvula, whitish discolouration in different places
+Pus accumulation in pancreatic crypts
+Swelling in the throat/oral cavity (usually requiring palpation)
+Oral ulcers that do not heal no matter what is tried
+Numbness if various places in the oral cavity, especially the tongue
+Unexplained pain
+Difficulty moving your jaw
+White patches in the oral cavity
It actually depends on a physical examination, as the doctor will be able to distinguish more clearly.
Unfortunately, your pictures were not that clear, but they were clear enough to help me distinguish. But I think they did the job ma'am. :)
As for Dr. Alok's response: He is not providing you with any inaccurate information, in fact it is all accurate. But it is also important to physically and visually examine your patients oral cavity and determine whether or not this patient will require further investigations (e.g. biopsy and PET scan as described by Dr. Alok).
In my opinion, with the visual examination I do not see the necessity of any further investigations ma'am. I am sure even Dr. XXXXXXX feels like there is nothing to worry about, but just chose to give you that information.
Along with the fact that you tried palpating it yourself and it felt like the rest of your cavity, and that the region is easily XXXXXXX when pushed with a Qtip are all indicators towards a non-cancerous state.
Don't worry ma'am, I am almost completely sure that all is well so do not worry. Please do not hesitate to write to me for any further clarifications, I am always here to help.
Best wishes.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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