Hi,
I have just come from the ENT and he did a scope through my nose and diagnosed me with leukoplakia of the vocal chord right side. I am due to an endoscopy in a week as I have had discomfort when swallowing and also heartburn. I have never heard of leukoplakia. Does anyone here have this condition. I am told it is pre-cancerous and probably brough on by smoking (which I am stopping right now). Anyone having this diagnosis, please respond. My doctor will see me back in 6 weeks and if it appears to be subsiding he will just monitor me. If it looks the same or worse, he intends to do a biopsy. Please, anyone with this condition let me know.

Thanks,
Margie

Hi Marjie
Leukoplakia is a typical pre-cancerous condition and the suggestion of a biopsy in 6 weeks sounds about right to me. A good search engine should give you more information, I had a list of good sites, but lost them when my computer crashed. Good girl, I know it won't be easy but chuck the smokes out of the window NOW, I stopped about 6 years ago, I'll tell you the first 4 weeks are the hardest then it gets better!!!!!If I knew then what I know now I never would have smoked ONE..
Take Care
Sunshine... love and hugs
Helen

Hi Helen,

Thanks for responding. I have looked up Leukoplakia on several sites and they usuall refer to "Hairy" and "Non-Hairy" Leukoplakia. They also mention HIV in their description. I am a female, been married for 20 years to the same man and we have both been faithful, so I can hopefully rule out anything to do with Aids. This has thrown me for a loop, and I have just finished nursing my Mom through surgery for cancer on her tongue. She is 85 and lives with me and it has been an ordeal. I'm not looking forward to going through what she has been through. I am a nervous wreck ove this situation. I am also scheduled in 10 days for an endoscope through an internist to look into the esophogas. Keep me in your prayers.

Margie

Margie
Relax pre-cancerous means just what it says, pre anything,,, I've been on this roundabout for 3 years, it ain't cancer till they say it is.. stay cool you really have plenty of time to ask questions and to sort it out, usually some laser treatment, promise me you will not panic you have time on your side..
sunshine... love and hugs
Helen

Hi Marjorie,
Leukoplakia, as I understand it, is an abnormal condition characterized by white or gray spots or patches on mucous membranes, especially of the mouth and vulva. Smoking is one of the known factors that can cause lekoplakia. "Hairy leukplakia" is a much less common form and apparently is seen only in people with HIV.

Before I was diagnosed with SCC, I had both oral lichen planus and leukoplakia. I saw an oral pathologist every year and he biopsied any suspicious looking tissue. It was for this reason that my SCC was diagnosed at stage I.

In some percentage of cases, these two conditions can turn malignant. However, you should consider yourself fortunate that your ENT has picked up on the condition so early and it can now be carefully monitored. Good luck, Sheldon

Marjorie,

Here is a link from this site regarding leukoplakia:

http://www.oralcancerfoundation.org/cdc/cdc_chapter4.htm

There are different types of leukoplakia and statistically about 3% progress to oral cancer from what I have read. It should be monitored regularly.

I hope your smoking cessation lasts the rest of your life! Congratulations on the first and biggest step in deciding to quit.

Ed

Hi All,

Just back from second visit with ENT. Another scope down my nose. No change since last scope, white patch on right vocal cord - Leukoplakia.
Dr. said he felt all around it and it is smooth and just a small patch and that he felt it is not cancer and we should just watch it. He also gave me the option of setting up a biopsy to be sure. I jumped at that. I'm such a nervous Nellie since dealing with my Mom's oral cancer that I want a positive answer that it is not cancer. I'm scheduled on 9/23 to have the biopsy performed. Dr. stated it will take about a week to get the results and he feels sure it will be negative and that he will continue to monitor me every 3 months. I'm happy with my decision, do you think I did the right thing? I would appreciate hearing from anyone who had a biopsy of leukoplakia. He said that he no longer uses a laser to remove the patch as it causes burns and scarring of vocal chord. Thanks for listening.

Margie

Hi Margie
From what I've learnt if this biospy comes back negative and you are be watched every 3 months it sounds like the Doc has covered all your options.. I personally would be happy with that..
Susnshine.. love and hugs
Helen

Hi Guys,

Just had my biopsy done on 9/23 for leukoplakia on my vocal cord. Boy, this was the worst thing I've gone thru so far. Endoscopy and scope down the nose were a breeze compared to this. Throat is so sore, ears are sore, can't speak for up to 10 days, can' clear throat. Sure hoping for a negative biopsy. Should find out results next week. Doctor had told me just monitoring the leukoplakia would be sufficient, but I opted for the biopsy to be sure. Even though the discomfort, still think I made the right decision. Let you know the result next week. Praying for good one.

Margie

Margie, I think you did the right thing. The biopsy will give you the best info as to what's going on. Will pray the discomfort isn't too bad and that the results are the best possible. Please do advise us as time goes on.

Hi Margie
Well done GIRL I hate biopsies, but they have to be done, so we'll be with you waiting for the results. Try and get some soluble pain relief, I'm sure your drug store could help...
Sunshine... love and hugs
Helen

Hi Margie!

I am hoping for the best news for you for sure. My sister-in-law had leukoplakia on her tongue and the dentist lasered it off. It came back after about 2 months and she had a biopsy last Friday, expecting results tomorrow. I will be hoping and praying for good news for both of you.

Take care,

Ed

Hi Everybody,

Thanks from the bottom of my heart for your prayers and encouragement. Just went back to the ENT and got my biopsy results. NEGATIVE FOR CANCER. I am thrilled. He explained to me that there is dysplasia which is mild and is not cancerous. The doctor explained it this way. There is mild, then moderate, then severe, then cancer. I am on the long end of the stick with "mild" and will be scoped every 3 months for the first year. If there is no change for the worse (he said it even could get better) then I will be scoped 2 times a year. I don't want to get ahead of myself, but that sounds good to me. My voice is coming back little by little and the doctor was pleased. He said it should take about a month before it's back to normal.
Again, thanks for all your prayers and kindness. I will keep all of you in my prayers.

Ed, please let me know how your sister-in-law makes out with her biopsy. I will be praying for her to receive good news.

Hugs to All,
Margie

Woohooo Marjorie...what great news , what a big old relief. I am so happy for you and your family.
Take care
marica

Margie,

I am so happy and relieved for you! I will be praying for this pest to go away from you for good.

Ed

Margie, what wonderful news! No cancer! Great. Will join Ed in prayer for continued improvement and better and better reports in the future.

Margie (and all),

My sister-in-law received the ALL CLEAR pathology report and only had a small chunk of her tongue removed. It sounds like she will be right behind you on those regular visits for a while. I am so happy for both of you.

Ed

Hello Marjorie,

So glad to hear of your, & others, negative biopsy results. Waiting and worrying for those results can be SO difficult.

I had recurring leukoplakia, and several biopsies, on my tongue.

The odds of leukoplakia becoming cancer are small but it does put you at greater risk than usual. It's very imprtant to remember those follow up appointments and notify the doctor of any changes. As you found, a biopsy is a good tool to give you added information.

I find it interesting that your mother had oral cancer (sorry to hear that). There does not seem to be imformation about this type of cancer running in families - although there is so much about this type of cancer that is not yet known. I think her cancer would be something the drs would want to knowon follow-up visits.

Good luck and take a good deep breath!
michelle