Can vocal cord nodules turn into cancer?

Written by Xu Qing Tian
Otolaryngology
Updated on March 01, 2025
00:00
00:00

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.)

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
47sec home-news-image

How to effectively treat vocal cord nodules?

Vocal cord nodules are a relatively common otolaryngological condition. In terms of treatment, it initially requires a laryngoscopic examination to assess the severity of the condition. Generally, conservative treatment is considered, commonly involving oral traditional Chinese medicine and nebulization therapy. Alongside medication, it's important to avoid excessive use of the voice and to engage in vocal rehabilitation training. Most patients will see gradual improvement in symptoms of hoarseness through these conservative treatments, and nodules may also gradually diminish in some cases. If standardized conservative treatments are ineffective and the symptoms of hoarseness are particularly severe, a small number of patients may consider surgical intervention.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
40sec home-news-image

Can I eat seafood with vocal cord nodules?

Patients with vocal cord nodules can eat seafood, as it does not exacerbate the condition, nor does it generally interact directly with medications used to treat vocal cord nodules, or affect the treatment outcomes. Therefore, it is generally safe for patients with vocal cord nodules to consume seafood. However, it is advised not to eat spicy and irritating foods, and to avoid smoking and drinking alcohol. These foods or poor lifestyle habits can significantly impact the condition, potentially worsening it. It is necessary to visit an otolaryngologist for standardized treatment and to have regular follow-ups to monitor the treatment effects.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Mao Cai
Otolaryngology
1min 2sec home-news-image

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
46sec home-news-image

How should vocal cord nodules be treated?

The treatment of vocal cord nodules mainly prioritizes conservative management, focusing on pharmacotherapy and simultaneously recommending voice training. Regarding medications, oral traditional Chinese medicines are commonly used, along with inhaled corticosteroids, generally requiring one to two weeks of treatment. Additionally, voice training is necessary to avoid excessive voice use, as it can exacerbate symptoms of hoarseness and lead to recurrent vocal cord nodules. If standardized medication treatments fail and severe hoarseness prevails, a small proportion of patients might consider undergoing vocal cord nodule removal surgery under laryngoscopy. Overall, surgery is not the first option, but its results are relatively definitive.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Mao Cai
Otolaryngology
1min 5sec home-news-image

How to treat vocal cord nodules?

The main symptom of vocal cord nodules is a hoarse voice, and some people often experience coughing. The cause of vocal cord nodules is related to excessive talking or improper use of the voice, such as in occupations like teachers, salespeople, and singers. Besides voice therapy, another treatment option is nebulizer inhalation, which is used to alleviate symptoms. Commonly used medications include corticosteroids, such as budesonide for nebulizer inhalation treatment, twice a day, one dose each time, but voice therapy is a prerequisite. Without voice therapy and correct voice usage, treatment with medication alone through nebulizer inhalation will not be effective, and the symptoms will not improve significantly. Some patients with vocal cord nodules do not need medication and can fully recover their normal voice and have the nodules disappear just by proper voice therapy and resting the voice for a period. Therefore, voice therapy is the best treatment for this condition.