Will the voice change due to vocal cord nodules get better?

Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
Updated on December 13, 2024
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After surgery for vocal cord nodules, the voice will definitely improve and will not cause persistent hoarseness. Vocal cord nodules are vocal cord lesions caused by improper use of the voice over a long time, such as loud shouting or fatigue, and are commonly seen in teachers and singers. They can cause persistent hoarseness in patients and progressively worsen. Generally, vocal cord nodules occur bilaterally. Examination with an electronic laryngoscope reveals a symmetrical, pale white, smooth-surfaced neoplasm in the anterior-middle third of both vocal cords, with good vocal cord mobility and incomplete closure of the glottis. In terms of treatment, patients need to undergo vocal cord nodule removal surgery under supported laryngoscopy. The surgery requires hospitalization under general anesthesia, and patients can usually recover and be discharged a week after surgery.

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Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
1min home-news-image

Symptoms of cancerous changes in vocal cord nodules

The possibility of malignant transformation of vocal cord nodules is very small. If cancerous transformation occurs, the patient will experience persistent hoarseness, as well as symptoms such as difficulty in breathing, difficulty in swallowing, persistent cough, and blood in the sputum. Vocal cord nodules are caused by prolonged improper use of the voice, shouting, or long-term irritation of the vocal cords by acid reflux. If patients do not undergo surgical treatment, the vocal cord nodules may continue to enlarge and undergo cellular mutations, leading to malignancy. At this point, patients may find cauliflower-like neoplasms or ulcers on the surface of the vocal cords. They will experience hoarseness, difficulty breathing, and difficulty swallowing. At this stage, it is necessary to perform a local biopsy. If a malignant tumor is confirmed, localized surgical treatment can lead to improvement.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Can vocal cord nodules cause a sore throat?

Vocal cord nodules do not cause sore throats. The symptoms of vocal cord nodules mainly manifest as hoarseness. Some patients experience episodic hoarseness, while others have persistent hoarseness. Moreover, the symptoms of hoarseness become more noticeable after excessive voice use. Some patients may also have laryngitis, which could lead to throat pain. Therefore, upon detecting vocal cord nodules, it is necessary to visit an otolaryngology clinic. An examination using a laryngoscope and routine blood tests can be conducted to assess the severity of the condition. Most patients can consider conservative treatment with medications; commonly used treatments include oral traditional Chinese medicine, combined with nebulization, and concurrent vocal rehabilitation training. (Please use medication under the guidance of a professional physician.)

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Is the surgery for vocal cord nodules uncomfortable?

Surgery for vocal cord nodules is not particularly uncomfortable, and as of now, it is not the first-choice treatment option. In fact, most patients can consider conservative treatment. This generally involves oral medications and nebulization therapy, and voice rehabilitation training can also be considered. Most patients can effectively control and alleviate their condition after standardized conservative treatment. If the effects of standardized conservative treatment are not satisfactory, surgery may be considered. The current surgical options include microlaryngoscopic surgery or vocal cord nodule excision under fiberoptic laryngoscopy, both of which are minimally invasive and cause minor damage. General anesthesia can also be considered; during the surgery, patients do not feel particularly uncomfortable. After the surgery, it mainly requires voice rest and continuing with nebulization therapy.

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Written by Li Mao Cai
Otolaryngology
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What should I do if conservative treatment for vocal cord nodules is not effective?

Vocal cord nodules are nodular lesions located at the anterior-middle third of both vocal cords, primarily caused by excessive speaking and incorrect pronunciation, commonly seen in individuals who overuse their voice. The main treatment approach begins with conservative management, which crucially requires voice rest as a fundamental condition, supplemented by medication. Common medications include nebulized inhalation therapy and some traditional Chinese medicines. If conservative treatment fails to achieve satisfactory results after six months, surgical intervention should be proactively considered rather than continuing observation. Prolonged vocal cord nodules, if not effectively managed conservatively, could potentially develop into vocal cord polyps, exacerbating the condition, thus necessitating surgical treatment. Therefore, if conservative treatment proves ineffective over six months, it is advisable to opt for early surgical intervention, which involves less trauma and yields better recovery.

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Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
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Is scraping effective for vocal cord nodules?

Scraping therapy is ineffective for vocal cord nodules and serves no purpose. Vocal cord nodules are bilateral vocal cord lesions caused by prolonged improper voice use, excessive strain, loud yelling, and irritation from acid reflux. These nodules can result in incomplete closure of the vocal cords, leading to a hoarse voice. If a patient experiences long-term hoarseness, they must go to a hospital for an examination with a video laryngoscope. This can reveal a symmetrical, smooth, pale nodule at the anterior middle third of the vocal cords. For treatment, medications and scraping therapy are ineffective for vocal cord nodules. Instead, surgical removal of the nodules under endoscopic guidance is necessary. The surgery requires hospitalization, general anesthesia, and postoperative antibiotics to avoid local infection, with recovery and discharge possible in about a week. Patients also need to completely rest their voice for a week after surgery to prevent recurrence.