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.
