Can vocal cord nodules turn into cancer?

Written by Xu Qing Tian
Otolaryngology
Updated on March 01, 2025
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Patients with vocal cord nodules usually do not undergo cancerous changes. The main causes of vocal cord nodules are related to improper use of the voice, excessive vocalization, and other factors. The pathological basis for the formation of vocal cord nodules involves edema in the Reinke's layer of the vocal cord mucosa, causing symmetrical hyperplasia of the vocal cords on both sides. The main symptoms in patients are hoarseness and difficulty in producing high-pitched sounds. The primary treatments for patients with vocal cord nodules currently include medication and surgery. Additionally, it is important for patients to protect their voice in daily life, practice voice rest, and reduce unhealthy habits like smoking and alcohol consumption to help prevent the occurrence of vocal cord nodules. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
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Vocal cord nodules voice repair how many days

Vocal cord nodules must be completely silenced for one week. Vocal cord nodules are caused by long-term improper use of voice, loud fatigue, and excessive shouting, leading to vocal cord lesions. Usually, it involves both vocal cords. This condition causes persistent hoarseness in the patient. An examination with an electronic laryngoscope can reveal a symmetrical, smooth-surfaced neoplasm at the anterior-middle third of both vocal cords, causing persistent hoarseness in the patient. In terms of treatment, the patient needs to undergo vocal cord nodule removal surgery under supported laryngoscopy. The surgery requires inpatient general anesthesia, postoperative use of antibiotics, and complete voice rest for a week to prevent recurrence after surgery. Postoperatively, the patient also needs to follow a light diet, abstain from smoking and drinking, and avoid spicy and irritating foods. If hoarseness is noticed, an electronic laryngoscopy check is mandatory at the hospital. If there is a recurrence, further local surgical treatment is needed.

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Written by Li Mao Cai
Otolaryngology
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What should be noted for vocal cord nodules?

Vocal cord nodules primarily require attention to speaking less and proper pronunciation as these measures address the causes of vocal cord nodules, which are due to excessive speaking and improper voicing. Therefore, these two factors need to be carefully considered. Additionally, in daily life, it's important to avoid environments with smoke and alcohol; do not smoke or inhale secondhand smoke. In terms of diet, consume light meals and avoid spicy and irritating foods. Emotionally, do not be hasty and especially avoid yelling, as there is a significant relationship between vocal cord nodules and emotional agitation or impatience.

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Written by Li Mao Cai
Otolaryngology
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Will there be a change in voice after vocal cord nodule surgery?

Vocal cord nodules commonly develop symmetrically at the anterior-middle third of both vocal cords. After the surgery for this condition, the hoarseness in the voice might initially worsen compared to before the surgery, particularly during the recovery period. After the surgery, it's crucial to rest the voice, meaning speaking less. Voice rest also includes proper phonation, which entails speaking correctly or not at all. It is advised to limit speaking to no more than five sentences per day. Moreover, during recovery, the voice may initially sound more hoarse than before the surgery but it should return to a state similar to that before the surgery once fully recovered. If after the surgery and subsequent recovery, the voice does not vary significantly from its pre-surgery state, this is generally the expected outcome. However, it isn't guaranteed 100%, as variations can occur depending on whether adequate voice rest was taken and whether proper phonation techniques were employed post-surgery.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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Is surgery necessary for vocal cord nodules?

Vocal cord nodules are benign lesions on the vocal cords, primarily characterized by bilateral symmetrical protrusions on the free edge of the vocal cords. These protrusions are small and nodular. The majority of vocal cord nodules do not require surgical intervention and are mainly treated with medication. For those vocal cord nodules that do not improve with medication or voice correction, they may gradually progress to vocal cord polyps or other lesions. Only after an assessment deems surgery appropriate, is surgery considered. Overall, vocal cord nodules do not require surgical treatment.

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Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
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How to treat vocal cord nodules?

Vocal cord nodules are caused by improper, prolonged use of the voice, excessive strain, or shouting loudly, resulting in bilateral vocal cord lesions. They can lead to persistent hoarseness in patients, with intermittent exacerbations. Vocal cord nodules cause incomplete closure of the glottis. Examination with an electronic laryngoscope reveals symmetrical, pale, nodular protrusions on the anterior middle third of both vocal cords. In terms of treatment, vocal cord nodules can initially be managed conservatively. This involves complete vocal rest for one week, combined with nebulized inhalations to reduce local congestion and edema. After one week, if there is no improvement and the nodules persist, the patient may require excision surgery under supported laryngoscopy. The surgery requires hospitalization, general anesthesia, and patients typically recover and are discharged within a week after the operation.