After his surgery Bob was told he still had some displasia at the margins. The way it was explained to us is that the cells are abnormal but not cancer abnormal. They could develop into cancerous cells or they can just stay displasiac which is what they consider a precancerous condition versus "normal cells". It does not mean you going to develop cancer but there is greater likely hood.
In Bob's case because he actually had cancerous cells removed surgically he was give the choice to watch and wait being carefully monitored or do radiation. If I understand your situation correctly you should be checked on a very regular basis to determine if there are any changes to the displasia.
This is just a curious question and you don't have to answer but have you ever tested positive for HPV virus? There are studies researching a possible link between HPV and squamous cell cancers (oral and cervical). As Darrell said there is no definitive answer to why me?
The things they attribute to causing cancers are only risk factors identified that seem to increase your chances but not every smoker gets cancer and some seriously health conscious people develop unlikely problems.
Here's to your displasiac cells staying happy to be a little abnormal and may they not aspire to anything more.
Peace Denise


Caregiver Husband Bob SCC tongue t2nomo Partial Glosectomy/neck disection 6/04 rad ending 9/23/04
Osteoradio-necrosis of the Mandible (ONJ) DX 6/09 Surgery 7/2/09 mandible resection/ several teeth extracted/ neck dissection NO FLAP and aggressive antibiotic therapy.