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


Christine
SCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44
2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07
-65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr
Clear PET 1/08
4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I
surg 4/16/08 clr marg
215 HBO dives
3/09 teeth out, trismus
7/2/09 recur, Stg IV
8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy
3wks medicly inducd coma
2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit
PICC line IV antibx 8 mo
10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg
OC 3x in 3 years
very happy to be alive smile