Can anyone help with a persistent problem. For 9 months I have suffered with painful white patches on the underside of my tongue. I have had 2 operations to remove them and they have returned now for the third time. Biopsies were done with both operations and there in no evidence of cancer. Nevertheless it is very painful and worrying, particularly as I have received no diagnosis.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Dr Vinod K Joshi,

Hi David

I'm so sorry that you haven't been able to get an answer for your problem. Have the doctors given you any kind of medication for these patches (like an antibiotic)?

Unfortunately, online diagnoses are impossible, and it doesn't sound like you're giving up. Are you seeing the same doctor each time? If so, could you be referred to a different doctor, like an oral surgeon if you haven't seen one already?

I'm sorry I'm not able to give you better information. Please let us know how this turns out for you.

Julia

Hello David

The biopsies should facilitate a diagnosis. Most leukoplakia (white patch) is not cancer. In some patients, the patches keep recurring and we don't understand why. However it is important that they are watched closely. You might find this post on Leukoplakia of interest.

Hope that helps.

Best wishes

Vinod

Hello Dr Vinod,
Thank you for your reply. One thing is certain.. and that is, to stop smoking. In order to help me do that I have been using nicotine lozenges that dissolve on the tongue (I've tried other aids such as patches, but feel more likely to succeed with the lozenges). Will these irritate leukoplakia ? I have an appointment in a couple of weeks with the specialist who has removed the lesions on 2 occasions earlier this year. Having undergone 2 painful interventions I am not inclined to undergo a third, particularly as it is likely that the problem will re-occur. Do you think this a high risk strategy?
Thank you.
David