What are the symptoms of vocal cord cancer?
The main symptoms of laryngeal cancer include:
- a change in your voice, such as sounding hoarse.
- pain when swallowing or difficulty swallowing.
- a lump or swelling in your neck.
- a long-lasting cough.
- a persistent sore throat or earache.
- in severe cases, difficulty breathing.
What is a lesion on the vocal cords?
The term vocal cord lesion or vocal fold lesion refers to a group of noncancerous (benign), abnormal growths (lesions) within or along the covering of the vocal cord. Vocal cord lesions are one of the most common causes of voice problems.
Can vocal cord nodules become cancerous?
Vocal fold nodules are growths that form on the vocal folds. They are benign, or not cancerous.
What causes cancer on vocal cords?
What are the risk factors for laryngeal cancer? Smoking or using other tobacco products greatly increases your risk of developing laryngeal cancer. Drinking alcohol, especially a lot of it, also raises your risk. And using alcohol and tobacco together increases the risk even more.
What is the treatment for vocal cord cancer?
Treatment for Vocal Cord Cancer
In-office laser treatments to remove tumors. Surgery to remove tumors. Radiation therapy, which uses high-energy rays to destroy cancer cells, prevent cells from spreading, and shrink tumors. Chemotherapy, which is medication that travels through the bloodstream to treat cancer cells.
What does a vocal cord lesion feel like?
What are the symptoms of vocal cord lesions? Vocal cord lesions can result in hoarseness, breathiness, multiple tones, loss of vocal range, vocal fatigue or loss of voice. Patients with vocal cord nodules or polyps may describe their voice as harsh, raspy, or scratchy.
Can vocal nodules cause permanent damage?
Beware: If this happens too often, you can damage your vocal cords. Occasional vocal cord injury usually heals on its own. However, those who chronically overuse or misuse their voices run the risk of doing permanent damage, says voice care specialist Claudio Milstein, PhD.
Are vocal nodules permanent?
Vocal nodules (also known as vocal fold nodules or vocal cord nodules) can develop if you use your voice too much over a long period of time. They make your voice hoarse and change the sound of your voice. These small, benign (non-cancerous) nodules usually go away again if you rest your voice or do voice therapy.
What happens if vocal nodules go untreated?
Left untreated, the growths can lead to voice strain as your body attempts to compensate for your injury. In many cases, voice therapy can teach you how to use your voice more efficiently and without strain so your injury heals. In some cases, surgery is needed to remove the growths.
Are vocal nodules common?
Vocal cord nodules (referred to as “vocal fold” nodules by physicians) are growths that form on the vocal cords. These bumps are benign (noncancerous) and are similar to calluses that can form on the hands. Nodules affect girls and boys of any age, and are a common cause of voice issues in both children and adults.
Is vocal cord nodule surgery safe?
For the majority of people who need to have a benign vocal cord lesion removed, laser surgery is a convenient, safe, and effective treatment option. A voice specialist can evaluate whether you are a candidate for this procedure based on your medical history and the results of a physical exam and voice evaluation.