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I am 52, male. How do I manage a lump on my soft palate?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

I am a 52-year-old male. I lump just on top of my soft palate next to the uvula. The lump was pink or red, medium, and painless without bleeding. Three weeks ago, I found it, and I did not notice anything before. There is no such history in my family. I visited my GP, and he referred me to an oral surgeon. Is the lump, a dangerous one? What would you recommend for it to subside? I have uploaded my Lump photos. It is not painful even if I touch the lump with my tongue. After doing a warm salt water gargle, the lump reduced a bit. I am not a smoker. I am a known diabetic and hypertensive. I do not have a cough or throat problem now or before.

Kindly advise.

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Based on your query and the attached images (attachment removed to protect patient identity), my opinion is as follows:

If it is painful, I would have been a bit happy, as inflammatory swellings are usually painful.

As it has been present for three weeks and there is no pain, I would strongly advise a biopsy of the swelling.

It could be a benign lesion in the early stages, and complete removal could solve the problem.

Saltwater gargles cause dehydration of any tissue, and hence, the lump size could have reduced for a short period.

Do get a biopsy done, like complete excision, and biopsy histopathology results can confirm its nature.

  • Investigations to be done:Excision biopsy of the lesion.
  • Probable diagnosis: Squamous papilloma.
  • Regarding follow up:Revert with the results to a geriatrician online.

I hope you are satisfied with my answer. For further queries, you can consult me at iCliniq.

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

It is not painful. Do you think it is a dangerous lump? I am going to meet an oral surgeon tomorrow. When I asked one of my friends, who is an ENT (ear, nose, and throat) doctor, through email with the above photos, he said that it could be a papilloma or oral wart. Is that lump curable? Should I stop the saltwater gargle?

Kindly advise.

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Based on your query, my opinion is as follows:

Salt gargles can be stopped as they would not serve any purpose.

The lump does not appear to be dangerous, and there is no reason to worry.

Yes, it appears to be a possible papilloma or wart, and it is easily curable.

Once you get it excised, do follow up for at least six months. If no recurrence, then nothing to worry. If it recurs, then re-excision may be necessary.

I hope you are satisfied with my answer. For further queries, you can consult me at iCliniq.

Thank you.

Medically reviewed byiCliniq medical review team

Published At February 22, 2017
Reviewed AtAugust 5, 2025

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