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What Does A Lump Behind The Tongue On Right Behind The Anterior Pillar Indicate?

Posted on Mon, 27 Jan 2014

Question: Hi I have been having a globus feeling of something stuck behind me tongue on the back left. Its been going on for 5 months. I was on antibiotics and it did not go away. I do have a mass or lump visual to the eye behind the tongue on right behind the anterior pillar on the pharyngeal wall. It constantly bugs. Me it looks flesh colored and almost like a tooth. I went to the ER and the doc said it was lymphatic tissue. Does this make any since. It looks like a tumor or cyst. I can feel it with my finger. Soft but kinda hard. No othe symptoms. No ear pain no difficulty in swallowing nothing besides rhe constant feeling od something there rubbing or dry. What can this be im scared the doc said it was nothing to worry about but I can see the mass and it freaking me out can this be cancer? Any thoughts. When I stick out my tongue u can c it but when the tongue goes back it disappears it deff some Kind of growth. Not the tonsil its below the tonsil back left floor of tongue and wall sometimes it seems to stick out like a skin tag and sometimes sticks to the wall of my throat. no pain does not bleed. I can feel it there its annoying. No sore throat but do have white crap on tongue I can scrap it off with my finger almost like a white mucus. I do smoke and drink beer once in a blue moon. It almost looks like its attached to the back side of my arch. Please help Also I look up lymphatic tissue and it ses that's your tonsils this is not my tonsil its below them behind my wisdom tooth behind that arch. Looks looks like a tooth or scale tonsil also looks kind of swollen and a couple white pimple like dots on back of throat is this related. Sorry just very scared and stressed over this cant stop looking on the internet to what it may be but cant find anything that looks like it. Just keep thinking its cancer scared cant sleep. Very parano

Answered by Dr. Sriram Nathan (1 hour later)

Brief Answer: first relax Detailed Answer: hello and welcome to health care magic, I am Dr Sriram Nathan an ENT surgeon who has successfully treated thousands of people with throat problems. First of all let me assure you that I fully understand what you are feeling and let me assure you that you are perfectly fine. Let me go through some pointers for you: -Our throat has many lumps and bumps as you may call it starting from the tongue all the way to the stomach. These may be lymphoid tissues, papillae, follicles and mucous glands! All these can be of different colors, can enlarge in different conditions, can look like any of the odd things you mentioned and can occur anywhere! These are perfectly normal and have absolutely no pathology. The pimple like things are follicles which enlarge even normally or with a mild infection. -When you have a mild infection, these can enlarge and they can have different textures like hard and soft but it is perfectly normal as their function is to protect us from infection by enlarging and producing anti-infective antibodies or trying to help the body in dissemination of the infection. If you do feel you have an infection then you must consult an ENT doctor and start a course of antibiotics like amox-clav. -If your difficulty in swallowing is just feeling then you have absolutely nothing to worry about. Ponder on this, if you are able to have your lunch or dinner or breakfast without any problem then you are absolutely fine! -Since you are stressed it would be wise however to take a course of anti reflux medication like pantoprazole in consultation with your doctor. -The real concerning symptoms are chronic cough, extreme weight loss, voice change, breathing difficulty and severe pain. Watch out for these but do not be paranoid about them as even anxiety can cause any of these. Finally if you are still worried about the lump then you can take a CT neck and upper chest along with Upper GI endoscopy and once and for all remove all doubts! Hope your doubts are clear and I will be only too happy to clear any more regards Dr Sriram Nathan

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sriram Nathan (8 minutes later)

Doc honesty u just had me in tears I been so worried about this thinking im dying from cancer. I feel fine other than that mass behind my anterior pillar on the pharyngeal wall. No swallowing issues no pain no nothing but I can c the mass and I take Prilosek everyday for Gerd. I can feel the lump there where the mass is and that's where I feel the globus feeling. I have an appointment with an ENT on XXXXXXX 6th but irs far away and im stressing out. Im scared to go.

Answered by Dr. Sriram Nathan (4 minutes later)

Brief Answer: do not worry Detailed Answer: Hello again, Like I mentioned before you have nothing to worry about! Continue your medications, reduce your stress, take some stress relieving exercises and do go for appointment with the ENT so that you will be completely relieved The feeling of lump will also go away once you get to know that there is nothing to worry about Hope this helps regards Dr Sriram Nathan

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sriram Nathan (4 minutes later)

Thanks doc ....I appreciate all your help...it makes me feel better knowing u r an ENT specialist. Ill keep in touch and let u know the outcome. Ill try to relax until then. Have a good night and a happy new year

Answered by Dr. Sriram Nathan (3 minutes later)

Brief Answer: you are welcome Detailed Answer: Hello again, You are welcome and get well soon Another few things which I forgot to mention; avoid spicy food and caffeine Take care regards Dr Sriram Nathan

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sriram Nathan (3 minutes later)

Thanks doc I do drink a coffee every morning and one can of soda a day. Is coffee ok I can do without the soda?

Answered by Dr. Sriram Nathan (2 minutes later)

Brief Answer: perfectly fine Detailed Answer: hello again, One to two cups of regular coffee is perfectly fine but a can of soda can be taken only once in a while and not everyday as it will increase the acidity and reflux. In effect the coffee is fine but avoid the soda Hope this helps Regards Dr Sriram Nathan

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sriram Nathan (2 days later)

Hey doc me again sorry getting paranoid. This thing has been there for 5 months it looks like its getting bigger. It looks like a small tongue growing behind the Anterior wall any thoughts of what this could be? Cancer?

Answered by Dr. Sriram Nathan (5 hours later)

Brief Answer: lymphoid tissue Detailed Answer: Hello again, Like I mentioned before although I do not fear anything wrong but if you do have the doubt that it is growing in size then you can take a CT neck and upper chest and get back to me or any ENT with the report This will also make sure your mind gets some very relief when the scan can show that all's well Hope this helps Regards Dr Sriram Nathan

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sriram Nathan (2 days later)

Hey doc thanks I ho to the ENT on Monday. Also the mass is behind the posterior pillar not the anterior down by the back of my tongue right behind The lingual tonsil. Also I have seemed to develop a little bump on the left side of the XXXXXXX XXXXXXX It moves up n down when I swallow. Im sorry to Bug u but u seem to ease my mind when I get paranoid. Also the lump in my throat seems to get dry and bothers me the most after I eat.

Answered by Dr. Sriram Nathan (9 hours later)

hello again, As I have mentioned before do not worry about the lump as these will just be an enlarged follicle or a papillae and this is nothing to worry about just see that it does not increase in size and shape. The dryness is just because of anxiety which is nothing to worry about and will get better when you follow the anti reflux measures as I mentioned before. The lump in the throat is also nothing to worry about as most of these lumps are benign but in any case take an FNAC of the lump if it is large and is persisting and get back to me with the report. As I mentioned before you must take a CT of the neck and upper chest so that we can be hundred percent sure and you can have a peace of mind Hope this helps regards Dr Sriram Nathan

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sriram Nathan (39 hours later)

Hey doc. I just want to thank u for all your help. I went to the ENT today. He did an oral exam and a ran a scope up my nose and down my throat. He said everything looks good. He said the lump was Harmless lymphatic tissue and i have a follow up in 3 months. He said if it still bother a me by then they will have it removed. Thank u so much for your time.

Answered by Dr. Sriram Nathan (3 hours later)

Brief Answer: welcome Detailed Answer: Hello again, So glad to help you Get well soon and reduce stress 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. Chakravarthy Mazumdar