About the disease
Vocal cord polyp is a benign growth on one or both vocal cords. This growth is usually soft and swollen. Polyp can be filled with fluid or blood depending on its severity and cause. If not treated on time, vocal cord polyp can develop into a nodule, which is also a growth, but a harder one. Vocal cord polyps and nodules can become callous-like and grow in size, if treatment is neglected. In some cases polyps can become blister-like or resemble in its structure a bump.
Such growth can develop because of continuous abuse of the vocal cord, which can be result of a person's profession, infection or trauma. Continuous history of bronchitis and other pulmonary diseases can contribute to the development of polyp. Also, if a person has a long history of smoking and he lives in a polluted environment, he can eventually develop a polyp. In rare cases polyps can be caused by stress and anxiety.
According to American SpeechLanguageHearing Association, only in USA between 3% and 7% of population have some kind of voice disorder. Such disorder is more common in women.
Symptoms
- Hoarseness
- Pain in the neck and throat
- Pain during speaking
- Change of the voice: it can become rough and scratchy
- Lump in the neck
- Range of voice capability decreases
- Pain in the ears
- Frequent coughing
Diagnosis
You need to visit otolaryngologist if you have vocal cord polyp longer than 3 weeks. During the physical examination, doctor will assess your vocal quality, its endurance and also vocal cords and larynx in general.
- Endoscopy is used to examine vocal cords with the help of a tube, equipped with a camera. This diagnostic method allows a doctor see any changes in vocal cord anatomy.
- Screening is conducted if there is obvious voice disorder. It is used to evaluate respiration and resonance abilities of the patient. It can also assess flexibility of the vocal cords.
Treatment
- Surgical resection of the polyp is used if the polyp is very large and needs to be removed to retain the voice of the patient. This procedure is usually done under the local anesthesia. Before and after it a patient needs to undergo special voice therapy to retain the voice function.
- Physiologic voice therapy is also used for treatment of polyps, but it is usually applied after the surgery as it helps the patient retain his respiration, phonation and resonance functions. It is also used to reduce the muscular tension which could accumulate after the polyp grew in size.
Overall, vocal cord polyp is not considered to be a dangerous condition, but, nonetheless, it needs to be treated to prevent any further complications, such as nodules or other formations.
Authors: Dr. Vadim Zhiliuk, Dr. Sergey Pashchenko
