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What Causes Small White Granule Inside Mouth In A Smoker?
Question: Hi Sir,
I am 27 year old. I developed a very small, white granule inside my mouth. I smoke 11-12 cigarettes a day. I consulted an oncologist who doubted it could be erythroplakia. He however assured that it is reversible if I quit, or at least minimise smoking. However, the second oncologist whom I met even ruled out it to be erythroplakia. None of the doctors suggested a biopsy. Please guide me
I am 27 year old. I developed a very small, white granule inside my mouth. I smoke 11-12 cigarettes a day. I consulted an oncologist who doubted it could be erythroplakia. He however assured that it is reversible if I quit, or at least minimise smoking. However, the second oncologist whom I met even ruled out it to be erythroplakia. None of the doctors suggested a biopsy. Please guide me
Brief Answer:
Take a biopsy
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to health care magic,
I am Dr Sriram Nathan, an ENT surgeon who has done more than thousands of biopsy in the cheek and mouth region.
In my experience it is always better to be safe than worry so I will almost always recommend a biopsy of any lesion in the oral cavity especially since you are also a smoker. This is a simple procedure which can be done in local anesthesia and does not require any hospitalization in any case.
You must understand that till we take a biopsy the diagnosis cannot be confirmed and you must insist on your consulting doctor on performing the biopsy. You can get back to me on this if you need any details about the biopsy. In any case I would advice you to meet a good ENT and not an oncologist so that he would not hesitate in performing the biopsy and giving you a peace of mind.
Meanwhile let this be a wake up call and you must reduce and finally stop smoking in any case.
Also avoid spicy food and also make sure that you do not have any impacted or protruded teeth which may be causing these lesions in your mouth.
Hope this helps and if you have any more doubts you can get back to me and I would be more than happy to serve.
Just remember in my experience that even the most benign looking lesion can be ominous and the biopsy is the only definite way of confirming that all is well
Regards
Dr Sriram Nathan
Take a biopsy
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to health care magic,
I am Dr Sriram Nathan, an ENT surgeon who has done more than thousands of biopsy in the cheek and mouth region.
In my experience it is always better to be safe than worry so I will almost always recommend a biopsy of any lesion in the oral cavity especially since you are also a smoker. This is a simple procedure which can be done in local anesthesia and does not require any hospitalization in any case.
You must understand that till we take a biopsy the diagnosis cannot be confirmed and you must insist on your consulting doctor on performing the biopsy. You can get back to me on this if you need any details about the biopsy. In any case I would advice you to meet a good ENT and not an oncologist so that he would not hesitate in performing the biopsy and giving you a peace of mind.
Meanwhile let this be a wake up call and you must reduce and finally stop smoking in any case.
Also avoid spicy food and also make sure that you do not have any impacted or protruded teeth which may be causing these lesions in your mouth.
Hope this helps and if you have any more doubts you can get back to me and I would be more than happy to serve.
Just remember in my experience that even the most benign looking lesion can be ominous and the biopsy is the only definite way of confirming that all is well
Regards
Dr Sriram Nathan
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
But the granule is continuously disappearing and it is now minimised just to a dot. Also, the oncologist did examine it and only after that, she said this was not erythroplakia
Brief Answer:
biopsy is the final diagnosis
Detailed Answer:
Hello again,
Even if the lesion is small it is still present and bothering you right?
So just get the biopsy done and get it over with once and for all.
Till then even if it comes and goes you still do not have a diagnosis which is definitely not the way to go.
Erythroplakia is any red lesion and is not a pathology diagnosis.... You can only speculate that it may be this...
Once again I would definitely urge you to go for biopsy so that you can have a closure.
Hope this helps
Regards
Dr Sriram Nathan
biopsy is the final diagnosis
Detailed Answer:
Hello again,
Even if the lesion is small it is still present and bothering you right?
So just get the biopsy done and get it over with once and for all.
Till then even if it comes and goes you still do not have a diagnosis which is definitely not the way to go.
Erythroplakia is any red lesion and is not a pathology diagnosis.... You can only speculate that it may be this...
Once again I would definitely urge you to go for biopsy so that you can have a closure.
Hope this helps
Regards
Dr Sriram Nathan
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Yes. Today is the 6th day. It is not red, but I will definitely follow your advice. But in general observation, what do you think it can be? I read such granules on roof of mouth appear for various reasons. Also, my age bracket?
Can it be nicotine stomatitis? I don't have a very long smoking history, its just over 4 years.
Can it be nicotine stomatitis? I don't have a very long smoking history, its just over 4 years.
Brief Answer:
could be
Detailed Answer:
Hello again,
Lesions of oral cavity rarely follow any age bracket.
Nevertheless it very well can be stomatitis or an angioma or seroma or the many numerous soft tissue and mucosal lesion which may or may not be related to your smoking.
In any case without biopsy it would be just speculation and beating round the bush. So get the biopsy done and be tension free!
Regards
Dr Sriram Nathan
could be
Detailed Answer:
Hello again,
Lesions of oral cavity rarely follow any age bracket.
Nevertheless it very well can be stomatitis or an angioma or seroma or the many numerous soft tissue and mucosal lesion which may or may not be related to your smoking.
In any case without biopsy it would be just speculation and beating round the bush. So get the biopsy done and be tension free!
Regards
Dr Sriram Nathan
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
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