A member asked:

Do i have oral cancer i have white spots on my tonsills i alway have what looks like little holes and pockets just above the tonsill and lumps on my throat please help very worried

3 doctors weighed in across 2 answers
Dr. Heidi Fowler answered

Specializes in Psychiatry

Hello. : Hello. I can't diagnose the white spots in your tonsils. Many peoples have crevices in their tonsils which are called crypts. Bacteria, food, dead cells and mucus can get trapped in those small spaces. Over time debris can build up and calcify. What results can be a small, hard ball which is often white or tan called a tosillolith. Tonsilloliths can form in the tonsils, the throat or the roof of the mouth.This is more apt to happen if a person has frequent infections of their tonsils or post nasal drip. They are usually small and normally are harmless. A large one could become bothersome. They often can cause bad breath. They can be hard to remove but sometimes dislodge with gentle irrigation. On the other hand, maybe you have an acute infection, like tonsillitis (especially if your tonsils are red and enlarged and your throat is sore). If you are worried about this, you could always have your doctor or an ear/nose/ throat specialist take a long. Stay well.

Answered 10/17/2018

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Dr. Jeffrey Goldstein answered

Specializes in Cosmetic Dentistry

Normal anatomy.: It sounds like you are describing tonsillar crypts, which are normal, and the lumps in the back of your throat are also normal anatomy. Take a flashlight and look in a friend's throat. If their bumps look like yours, don't worry. If they don't, go see a doctor and let him look. If he says you're normal, tell your friend to see a physician.

Answered 2/2/2013

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