I had a non-cancerous lesion removed by a laser procedure in my ENT's office about 7 years ago (7 years after my original cancer and 6 years before the cancer returned). The procedure was pretty simple, they gave me a local anesthetic but also a valium IV. It wasn't the most pleasant but I was able to tolerate the procedure (and it was nothing compared to what was to come!) I was also "unlucky" - 32 year old non smoker non drinker at the time of my first diagnosis.