I Have a Lump on My Palate (Roof of Mouth)
Finding a lump on the roof of your mouth can be startling. Here is what it might be.
The palate (roof of the mouth) has two parts: the hard palate (front, bony part) and the soft palate (back, fleshy part). Lumps here have different meanings depending on location.
- Common causes include:
- Torus palatinus β a common, harmless, bony growth in the middle of the hard palate. Many people have this and do not realize it until they feel it with their tongue. It is not cancer
- Papillary hyperplasia β red, bumpy tissue under a denture from chronic irritation
- Canker sore β painful ulcer on the palate, heals in 1β2 weeks
- Minor salivary gland tumor β the palate contains many small salivary glands, and tumors can arise from them. Most are benign, but about 50% of hard palate tumors are malignant
- Necrotizing sialometaplasia β a benign but alarming-looking ulcer that can mimic cancer; heals on its own
- Nasopharyngeal or sinus tumor β can cause a lump on the palate as it grows downward
What to Look For
- Usually not serious:
- Hard, smooth lump in the exact center of the hard palate (torus palatinus)
- Has been there for years without changing
- Painless
- Lump under a denture that improves with denture care
- Worth having checked:
- A lump on one side of the palate (not the center)
- A lump that is soft, fleshy, or ulcerated
- A lump that is growing
- A sore on the palate that does not heal in 2 weeks
- Bleeding from the area
- Numbness in the palate or teeth
- Difficulty wearing dentures (if you have them)
When to See a Doctor
- See an ENT doctor or dentist if:
- You notice any new lump on your palate
- The lump is off-center (not midline)
- The lump is growing or changing
- You have a sore that does not heal
- You have numbness in your palate