Do white patches on my larynx suggest leukoplakia or cancer?

Question

Hello doctor,

I have had mild silent reflux for a couple of years. I had an episode of blood in the mucus a month back when I got up. It disappeared after three to four days. I have been very careful about eating late at night since then. I went to an ENT doctor and he noticed white patches on the larynx during examination. He says it could be due to a fungal infection. I am a 39-year-old-male, and do not smoke. I do drink alcohol but very occasionally. I am concerned that I may have leukoplakia or cancer of some kind. Please help me. Thank you.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern. The endoscopic picture does show white patches involving both cords as well as posterior commissure and a cystic lesion in the right pyriform sinus. Any such lesion needs to be always looked at with suspicion. The best way to be sure of the exact nature of the lesion is a micro-laryngoscopic biopsy. It could well be laryngeal keratosis secondary to laryngopharyngeal reflux or GERD. Isolated laryngeal candidiasis (the most frequent fungal infection of the larynx, usually occurring in people who are at risk for fungal infection, and capable of causing anything from a small infection without symptoms to serious respiratory difficulty) is rare and you do not have risk factors like immunosuppression or do you? A rare possible scenario is laryngeal tuberculosis (the most prevalent laryngeal granulomatous condition) plus you does not have other features. Have you been put on antifungals? In case you have been, it does not show any improvement that needs a biopsy. I hope I clarified your doubt. Thanks and regards.

Answer 2

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Well, that lesion is not much of a concern. It appears to be a benign mucus retention cyst which is asymptomatic, but if they produce signs such as headache, periorbital pain, or facial pain) arising from the posterior pharyngeal wall. Take care of yourself. Thanks and regards.