Hi,
I am a 49 year old male. Non Smoker, very occasional drinker , have used smokeless tobacco - but no more than once a day.

2 years ago I was having slight burning sensation in throat - I went to ENT, They had a look with small camera and said it was reflux. They gave me Nexium and it cleared up. Last week I was having a similar sensation and I went back to same ENT. Only very mild reflux this time - However he noted small Leukoplakia on right vocal cord.

He did say it was very mild and 99% chance its nothing however it could be precancerous or cancer.

The ENT said he doubts this is related to dipping. Nonetheless I am done , done, done with dipping.
I know so many on here are going through a rough time and I feel bad even being on here without knowing anything yet.
He wants me to come back in 3 weeks, to see if it improves or changes. I said if it changes then what, he said it can be removed by laser under GA.

I know ENT said 99% but from what I read around 20% of Leukoplakia turns out to be malignant.

I am freaked out. I have 3 young children and am sole bread winner and my voice is crucial for my job. The other thing making me freak out is my Mom about to start chemo for Small Cell Carcinoma colon cancer ,which is incredibly rare , especially in a non smoker . Her initial prognosis was good but its turned out to be stage 4 and highly aggressive. So dealing with that and now this.

So anything to do with cancer at this point has me highly stressed.

I realize most on here that have had leukoplakia will not be individuals that have had their leukoplakia resolve or been diagnosed with mild/medium dysplasia.
However any advice in dealing with this is welcome.

Welcome to our group! Over the years, we have had many patients come thru here with leukoplakia. Some are monitored and the doc checks them frequently to see if it changes and needs further examination. Very few with leukoplakia have it turn into cancer, but we do have some who are current, active OCF members. This illness can be very frustrating for patients. I cant imagine having something that might turn into cancer or it might not. Im a very black and white type of person who likes to know exactly whats happening instead of what might happen. Hopefully you will be someone who is able to lead a long, happy, healthy life with that little "spot" that never changes and is non-cancerous. Do your very best with trying to stay busy and avoid the "what if" thinking. Its not in your control to change the situation but you do have control over how you feel about it. Stress is NOT at all healthy or productive for any patient. I hope you can overcome being overly stressed about the "spot". Maybe this will help alittle. Our saying around here is..... "Its only a spot until the biopsy says its not". Have any of the doctors asked you about having it biopsied? Thats the only way to know for certain exactly what it is. Even the most experienced doctors arent able to tell visually if something is cancerous or not, they can have a good guess but in the end its only a guess.

Im very glad to hear you are not continuing to use dip or any form of tobacco. Even the new e-cigs have been scientifically proven to be harmful and that is with the manufacturers claiming they are completely safe. Do yourself a huge favor and continue to be tobacco free for the rest of your life. I am a former smoker who has suffered greatly due to my smoking. When I quit, I did it to hopefully save my life and luckily it worked.

Im sorry to hear about your mother. I hope she is being treated by top notch professionals who will help her get thru this as easy as possible.

Ive enclose a link to our main OCF site to read more info about leukoplakia. Best wishes with everything!

Main OCF Site --- Leukoplakia

Hi,

Thanks so much for your reply. I decided to seek a second opinion on Saturday. This ENT was very patient and kind. He initially said just listening to my voice he was not overly concerned. At any rate they took a look with camera down my nose. He feels that the spot is a node and not leukoplakia as he sees something similar although even smaller on the opposite side on left vocal chord. Its also in the area most consistent with vocal abuse ( I coach youth sports every weekend and yell a lot so I guess that makes sense) Also the overall health of the vocal chord seems fine. So I am relieved and at the same time confused. This ENT suggested a follow up at 6 weeks.
I asked about biopsy but he said its so small if he were to go that route he would just remove it- however that comes with its own risks in terms of affecting my voice. Given that my job is in sales and I depend on my voice , I don't want to do something unnecessarily but certainly don't want to be that person that could have done something and did not. But as 2 ENTs now have advised to just wait and see -perhaps that is what I need to do.

In my follow up I will ask about the possibility of fine needle aspiration biopsy.

In terms of dipping - or any tobacco . I am so done. I never said I quit before but mean it with all my heart.

Lastly - I have read so many threads here the past few days and my heart pours out to all going through cancer and this sight is a lifeline for so many.

Best wishes to all

To wait and see is good. Stay vigilant but go back to enjoying life. Best wishes to you, too.