What Causes Small Mass In The Region Of Uvula?

Posted on Sat, 15 Nov 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 15 Nov 2014 Answered on

Tue, 9 Dec 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : I am a 49 year old male.
I felt a small mass with the tip of my tongue in the region of my uvula on the left side yesterday.
It is not sore and when I looked into my mouth with a light, I was able to see what looked like a small oddly shaped red blisterlike mass just where the uvula attaches to the palate on the left side. Almost like a herpes blister. Of course I am freaking out thinking I have thoat cancer.
I am an occasional marijuana smoker and am worried that this caused the blister. I do not smoke cigarettes.
Any thoughts?

Answered by Dr. Monish De (36 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
incisional biopsy

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Since you are having a small mass in the region of your uvula on the left side i will advise you to an incisional biopsy where a small piece of tissue is cut from the abnormal looking area in your throat.

A pathologist will then inspect the cells under a microscope to see if they are cancerous.

Since you are occasional marijuana smoker biopsy needs to be done to rule out malignancy.

Regards

DR DE

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E