Why do I have a BULK on the PALATE

In addition to feeling the ball on your palate, you may also feel some of these other symptoms of a lump on the roof of the mouth or the sky of the mouth:

You should know that not all the lumps that appear on the palate present some of the symptoms that we have just described. There are some that go unnoticed and there are even asymptomatic lumps on the palate, that is, they do not present any symptoms.

The possible causes for a lump to grow on the palate sare very varied. For instance:

• Smoker’s palate: They are benign lumps on the palate that usually appear in smokers. The diagnosis is simple, because apart from the fact that the person is a smoker, you can see red lumps with a white center. The lesions tend to disappear when smoking is stopped.
• Pyogenic granuloma: Although it can affect people of any age, it usually occurs in pregnant women in the middle of the palate. Its appearance is soft and pink in color. It can grow quickly and bleed. It must be removed by surgery performed by a dentist.
• Odontogenic abscess or cyst: dental abscess is related to some pathology that affects the teeth close to the area where the lump appears.
• Sexually transmitted disease: this type of pathology can cause injuries to the mouth. For example, herpes simplex causes very painful and annoying bladders, sores, or blisters, which may at first appear like a painful lump on the roof of the mouth, gums, and cheeks.
• Mucous cyst or mucocele: As its name implies, it tends to be formed by the accumulation of mucus or the alteration of the salivary glands. It grows slowly and is soft and normally goes away on its own. If it bothers you, the specialist can remove it.
• Palatine torus: This bulge is, in most cases, of genetic origin. It forms in the bone, making it like a hard lump on the palate or gum. It is painless and almost never discomfortable, but it can be removed by surgery.
• Pleomorphic adenoma of the salivary glands: It is a benign tumor that usually appears on the sides of the palate, in the salivary glands. It grows slowly and painlessly, so it can go unnoticed for a long time. Although it is not cancerous, it is best removed because it can cause eating discomfort or voice problems. If it is not completely removed, it can grow back, and in some cases even develop a malignant lesion.
• Malignant salivary gland tumor: Although there are different degrees of malignancy, this scenario can be fatal. So, if you notice a ball on the palate, act immediately, because if it is this disease, the lesion must be removed as soon as possible. A biopsy is also performed to determine if a more aggressive treatment is necessary to prevent metastasis or if it is not. This tumor can appear in anyone, but it is more common in adults, smokers, and regular alcohol users.

Children can also suffer from lumps on the roof of the mouth. For example, apart from the fact that they can develop most of the pathologies described above, children are very prone to gingival cysts or Epstein’s pearlsharmless, painless bumps.

The definitive diagnosis on the degree of malignancy of a lump on the palate is in the hands of the medical specialist. It is necessary that you put yourself in their hands to know their professional diagnosis, which is the most reliable of all that you can obtain.

In the first instance, the dentist will do an anamnesis, a physical examination and will evaluate the medical history and family history. They will then determine if other tests such as X-rays, blood tests, CT scans, biopsies, etc. are necessary.

There are symptoms that may indicate that we are facing a carcinogenic lesion:

• Weightloss.
• Difficulty healing.
• Sharp pain
• Bleedings
• Excessive swelling
• Difficulty eating and / or speaking.

If you have one or more of these isolated symptoms, it does not always mean that you have a malignant tumor. For this reason, from UNCOMO we consider that it is necessary to have a professional diagnosis for any lump that you detect on your palate, as it is the only one that can definitively tell you if you have a benign or malignant lump on the palate.

As you have seen, a lump on your roof of the mouth it should not go unnoticed. It is important that you receive the appropriate treatment and this will depend on the type of lump and its evolution.

The doctor could prescribe you medicines (such as antibiotics, pain relievers, or anti-inflammatories), have surgery to remove the lump, and even use chemotherapy in the most severe cases.

There are also some home remedies for pain relief, such as cold water gargles and aloe vera compresses. These remedies must be authorized by the doctor and never replace the treatment indicated by the doctor, but rather be a complement.

When you detect a lump on your palate and you need to find the appropriate treatment, which will vary depending on the case, you will have to follow these steps:

• Stay calm: Nerves can increase your stress and make your general picture worse, or they can lead you to make the decision not to seek specialized help. So stay calm and avoid thinking the worst.
• Go immediately to a specialist: Although there is a good chance that it is not something serious, you should not take unnecessary risks. Acting quickly can save your life in the event of a cancerous injury.
• Tell your doctor everything: every detail about the evolution of your lump, your medical history, family history and habits can be useful for a good diagnosis.

Follow the specialist’s instructions to the letter, even if they are uncomfortable or you think they are not necessary for you. Also remember that the most important thing is to visit a specialist as soon as possible. He or she will be the person trained to make a diagnosis, prescribe a treatment or perform a surgical intervention if necessary.

At UNCOMO we hope we have helped you enough so that you know what to do if you detect a lump on your palate.

This article is merely informative, at oneHOWTO we do not have the power to prescribe any medical treatment or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.