Could a lump at the back of throat suggest throat cancer?

Question

Hello doctor,

I recently noticed white little lumps on the spots at the back of my throat, one behind palatopharyngeal arch which is a red lump and another on the back of my throat each side with red bumps and white little things on them. What is it? I do not know how long I had it. I do not drink or smoke. Is it cancer like throat cancer or mouth cancer? I am a 27-year-old female. I have white sack looking things behind my tonsil as well with which look like blood vessels. But anyway I am sending the picture. I am scared. Please help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have seen the picture. (attachment removed to protect patient identity). The red bumps with white little things on them at the back of the throat (behind the palatopharyngeal arch) are called lymphoid granules. These are lymphoid tissues that are normally present. However, in you, they seem to be slightly enlarged. When enlarged and infected they are very congested, red and may exude pus. In your picture I cannot make out pus. The enlargement without redness or pus may indicate chronic throat infection. In case of chronic pharyngitis or tonsillitis, you may be having these bumps for a long time. However, you may have suffered throat pain, fever, soreness, difficulty in swallowing and painful swallowing intermittently. They are not cancer. The tonsils appear normal to me. They do not have a smooth surface. They have pits called crypts through which tonsillar secretions come out into the mouth. When the pits are clogged then you may develop tonsilloliths or stones which may be painful and give globus feeling. Otherwise, the tonsils look normal. If you suffer from the intermittent symptoms I mentioned then perhaps this is a case of chronic tonsillopharyngitis where we can explore the option of surgically removing the tonsils from both sides to give you relief from the symptoms. Otherwise, we need not bother.