Is the recurrence rate of vocal cord polyps high?

Written by Xu Qing Tian
Otolaryngology
Updated on December 31, 2024
00:00
00:00

Vocal cord polyps are a common and frequently occurring condition in otolaryngology. Usually, if patients strictly protect their voice after undergoing vocal cord polyp surgery, the recurrence rate is generally low. However, patients in professions such as teaching, sales, and singing, who often strain their voices, may experience recurrence of vocal cord polyps. The formation of vocal cord polyps is due to the rupture of capillaries and edema in the vocal cord mucosa, leading to neoplasm proliferation. An electronic laryngoscopy can be used to clearly diagnose the disease. Patients with vocal cord polyps should be advised to strictly rest their voice and avoid excessive vocal strain. Surgical removal of the vocal cord polyps is necessary to cure the condition.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
1min 2sec home-news-image

Can vocal cord polyps be treated without surgery?

Vocal cord polyps must be surgically treated; otherwise, they will further aggravate. The cause of vocal cord polyps is often due to improper long-term vocal use, shouting loudly, or excessive fatigue. Alternatively, it can be caused by a digestive system disorder, where acid reflux stimulates and leads to vocal cord lesions. Patients will experience persistent hoarseness, and it tends to progressively worsen. Vocal cord polyps generally affect one side. During an examination with an electronic laryngoscope, a smooth, light red or light white abnormal growth can be observed at the anterior-middle third of one vocal cord. The growth is soft and painless, with good vocal cord mobility, but incomplete glottic closure. In terms of treatment, conservative management is ineffective, and the patient requires direct laryngoscopy for polyp removal. The surgery requires hospitalization, and the patient can typically recover and be discharged within about a week.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Xu Qing Tian
Otolaryngology
46sec home-news-image

The difference between vocal cord nodules and polyps

Vocal cord nodules are often bilateral symmetrical tiny nodules, while vocal cord polyps can be unilateral or bilateral. Vocal cord nodules commonly affect teachers, singers, orators, and other professions that involve excessive use of the voice. Vocal cord polyps, however, can be seen in all kinds of people. For vocal cord nodules, treatment usually begins with medication. If medication is ineffective, surgical treatment may be considered. For patients with vocal cord polyps, the most common treatment method is surgical removal of the polyps. Post-surgery, it is crucial to protect the voice and maintain silence to aid recovery. Generally, both vocal cord nodules and polyps can be cured.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Mao Cai
Otolaryngology
53sec home-news-image

Is it necessary to have surgery for vocal cord polyps?

After diagnosing vocal cord polyps, it is necessary to decide whether surgery is needed based on the size of the polyps and the effectiveness of conservative treatment. If the polyps appear large under laryngoscopy and have a broad base, and conservative treatment is judged to be ineffective, it is recommended to opt for surgical treatment as soon as possible. If the polyps are small, and the doctor assesses that there is a possibility of recovery through conservative treatment and voice rest, then conservative treatment can be initially adopted for a period of time. If after conservative treatment the vocal cord polyps have not completely disappeared, or even worsened, it is also advisable to pursue aggressive surgical treatment. Therefore, whether surgery is necessary for vocal cord polyps needs to be determined by the doctor based on the results of laryngoscopy and conservative treatment.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
50sec home-news-image

Do vocal cord polyps hurt?

Vocal cord polyps are benign, space-occupying lesions that occur on the free edge of our vocal cords. After the occurrence of vocal cord polyps, the main symptom is hoarseness of voice. In severe cases, there may be loss of voice, and if the vocal cord polyps are large, it may cause a sensation of air leaking when speaking. Generally, vocal cord polyps do not cause pain unless there is concurrent acute pharyngitis, which then results in pain in the throat area. This pain is mainly due to the acute pharyngitis. During surgery for vocal cord polyps, anesthesia is typically used, so there is no pain during the procedure. The surgery is usually performed under a microscope, and there is no significant pain in the throat area after the surgery. In conclusion, vocal cord polyps do not cause pain.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
42sec home-news-image

Can vocal cord polyps cause loss of voice?

Vocal cord polyps are benign neoplasms that occur on the vocal cords. They protrude from the surface of the vocal cords. Generally, after the occurrence of vocal cord polyps, surgical treatment is performed to remove them, as vocal cord polyps can cause hoarseness, affecting our work, and impacting our career and life. Severe vocal cord polyps, if not treated, can lead to repeated friction between the vocal cords, which may even result in the potential malignancy. Of course, vocal cord polyps severely affect our voice quality, causing hoarseness and in severe cases lead to voice loss, causing a sensation of air leakage when we speak. In summary, vocal cord polyps can lead to loss of voice.