ABOUT Vocal Cord Cancer - Maximed Turkey
What Is Vocal Cord Cancer?
Vocal cord cancer is a tumor on the vocal cords, which
are thin folds of tissue, lined with vibrating membranes that produce the sound
of your voice. This condition may be found before symptoms appear or as a
result of symptoms such as hoarseness, pain, or feeling like something is
blocking the airway.
There are many causes of vocal cord cancer including
smoking, chronic cough, and exposure to loud noises. People who have had
radiation therapy to treat diseases like laryngeal cancer often find themselves
developing vocal cord cancers long after treatment has ended.
Vocal cord cancer is an aggressive disease that usually
requires surgery and/or radiation therapy to save your voice or prevent voice
loss.
What Are The Symptoms Of Vocal Cord Cancer?
Cancer of the vocal cords is a very uncommon cancer and
usually occurs in people over the age of 60. Some of the most common symptoms
include hoarseness, persistent cough, raspy voice, and weight loss.
There is no cure for cancer of the vocal cords except
possibly surgery to remove parts of the affected organs. As with other cancers,
early detection can lead to shorter survival rates.
The signs and symptoms may vary depending on where the
vocal cord cancer occurs as well as its size and also which cells are affected
by it.
Vocal Cord Cancer Treatment
Vocal cord cancer was once thought to be an isolated
disease, and therefore there was no good treatment for it. Research has led to
the discovery of various effective treatments such as radiation therapy and
chemotherapy, but their effectiveness is still limited.
There are different types of vocal cord cancer, and
each has a different prognosis based on the spread of the tumor and also the
type of vocal cord cancer it is.
Stage I-II is curable with surgery or radiation therapy
while stage III and IV vocal cord cancer patients have a larger than normal
tumor and therefore have lower survival rates.
There is no proven risk factor for developing vocal
cord cancer, but certain factors such as smoking may increase the risk.
Vocal Cord Cancer Diagnose
To diagnose vocal cord cancer a doctor may do a
physical examination and also take x-rays and MRI to view the tumors in the
larynx. This is the only way to accurately diagnose vocal cord cancer when it
has not yet spread to other parts of the body.
Vocal Cord Cancer Prognosis
If the tumors are removed completely, patients can
continue to live their lives normally and with no side effects. The main
concern with vocal cord cancer is metastasis (spreading) to other parts of the
body such as lymph nodes or lungs. If this occurs, then radiation therapy may
be used to treat it. The prognosis for patients with metastasis is not
positive.
Vocal Cord Cancer Delial
Several different types of vocal cord cancer are
characterized by the parts of the vocal cord in which they occur. Laryngeal
cancers can occur in either or both vocal cords, depending on the type of
cancer, but they rarely occur in any other part of the larynx. The most common
type of laryngeal cancer is squamous cell carcinoma, which is the second most
common form of head and neck cancer. Although much less common than squamous
cell carcinoma, it is one of the most dangerous because it can spread rapidly
to other areas in the neck and even into nearby lymph nodes.
Frequently Asked Questions on Vocal Cord Cancer
What Is A Cuff Polyp?
A cuff polyp is a small mass of tissue that grows on
the margin of one of your vocal cords. Cuff polyps are also called Reinke's
edema. Cuff polyps usually form due to long-term overuse or misuse of your voice.
Many professional speakers develop them because they
talk for extended periods. You take a greater risk if you've been exposed to
excessive tobacco smoke, drink alcohol often, or use cocaine often.
What Is The Use Of Diagnosing Polyps?
Diagnosing polyps that form on your vocal cords is
important because they aren't always noticeable. Most people don't even realize
they have them. That's why it's important to see a doctor if you feel like
you're not able to talk as well as usual.
Polyps that form on the vocal cords affect the voice,
and if left untreated, can cause breathing problems and other complications.
Over time, you may develop more than one polyp on one or both vocal cords.
While polyps on the vocal cord itself aren't
life-threatening, they can sometimes cause severe damage and lead to hoarseness
and/or other voice problems.
