Carcinoma of the vocal cords

Most oncologists agree that vocal cord cancer probably begins as a small area of abnormal cells that undergo a series of changes and eventually lead to the development of cancer. These pre-cancerous lesions can appear as white or red areas (called leukoplakia or erythroplakia) on the vocal cord.

In any case, these changes need to be analyzed, that is, biopsied, a sample taken to exclude the presence of cancer. Research shows that removing precancerous lesions reduces the risk of developing cancer.

Laryngeal tumors are more common in men and smokers. It is the larynx, according to research, that is the most sensitive organ in the human body to harmful chronic inhalation of tobacco smoke.

In addition to smoking, other etiological factors for the formation of laryngeal tumors are genetic predisposition, drinking alcohol, radiation exposure, vitamin deficiency, exposure to viral infections and laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR).

Symptoms of vocal cord cancer are:

• hoarseness,
• throat cleansing,
• feeling of a foreign body in the throat,
• cough
• The Sound of the Voice,
• lack of air,
• bleeding from the throat.

Symptoms of laryngeal tumors depend on the place where the tumor originated. Thus, a tumor in the part of the larynx above the vocal cords (supraglottis), but also below the vocal cords (subglottis) may remain unrecognized for a long time because it will give symptoms late.

In fact, such tumors also give symptoms early, but these are very non-specific symptoms and can be ignored:

• feeling of a lump in the throat,
• mild swallowing disorders,
• slight sore throat, especially localized in one place,
• pain in the ear (reflex pain),

Formation in the neck, breathing disorders, a change in the timbre of the voice (a voice similar to the sound produced when eating a hot potato – a hot potato voice) are usually signs of already advanced tumors.

Vocal cord cancer gives the earliest symptom that is very clear, which is hoarseness. Therefore, it is especially important that every patient with hoarseness that lasts longer than two weeks without improvement is examined by an otolaryngologist and phoniatrist.

The diagnosis of tumors of the larynx and vocal cords is made on an ENT examination. A detailed examination of the oral cavity, pharynx and larynx is required. The examination is performed with a mirror and endoscopically, with a camera that is placed in the mouth and directed towards the larynx or a thin camera that passes through the nose into the pharynx and larynx.

Sometimes, in small tumors extremely rarely, radiological treatment will be required: ultrasound of the neck, MRI and CT of the neck.

At the Lohuis Filipović Polyclinic , we perform procedures on a daily basis that make your voice more beautiful and your vocal cords healthier.

So, don’t wait and make an appointment today; Call us at +3851 2444 646 or fill out our online form.