Vocal Cord Cancer

How Does Vocal Cord Cancer Occur?

Vocal cord cancer occurs after some changes in the innermost epithelial layer of the histologically layered structure of the vocal cords. These initial changes may appear as white or red lesions or crusted areas. The cells in these areas lose their normal characteristics and gradually become cancerous. When they become cancerous, they thicken, grow and begin to spread to surrounding tissues. Recognising the tissue as cancerous before it passes through normal or early stages facilitates diagnosis, monitoring and treatment.

Vocal cord cancer is most commonly associated with smoking. Although vocal cord cancer can be seen very rarely in non-smokers, the incidence among smokers is significantly higher.

What is the Difference Between Vocal Cord Cancer and Laryngeal Cancer?

Vocal cord cancer is a form of laryngeal cancer. In other words, the larynx is our organ that houses the vocal cords within the neck. Therefore, laryngeal cancer encompasses vocal cord cancer. Laryngeal cancer can develop outside the vocal cords as well. Among all laryngeal cancers, vocal cord cancer is diagnosed at the earliest stages. This is because individuals with vocal cord cancer experience hoarseness early on. Seeking medical attention due to curiosity about the cause of hoarseness allows for the diagnosis of vocal cord cancer.

What are the Symptoms of Vocal Cord Cancer? What Complaints Does Vocal Cord Cancer Cause?

One or a few of the following symptoms may occur in a patient with vocal cord cancer. The complaints/symptoms listed here do not exclusively occur in vocal cord cancer. However, if voice changes persist for more than 2 weeks, especially in smokers, it is advisable to undergo examination.

• Hoarseness, change in voice
• Persistent sore throat, sometimes accompanied by ear pain
• Pain during swallowing, difficulty swallowing, painful swallowing, weight loss
• Feeling of something stuck in the throat
• Shortness of breath, difficulty in breathing
• Blood in sputum with coughing
• Detected swelling(s) in the neck

How is Vocal Cord Cancer Diagnosed? How are Vocal Cords Imaged?

The examination of the vocal cords is performed under office conditions using flexible fiberoptic laryngoscopy or videolaryngostroboscopy methods. This examination allows for the imaging of the vocal cords while in motion, and if necessary, photographs and video recordings can be taken related to the examination. If a potentially cancerous lesion is observed on the vocal cords during the examination, it may be necessary to evaluate this diseased area in the operating room to obtain a definitive diagnosis.

How is a Biopsy Taken from the Vocal Cord? What is Done to the Area with Cancer Risk?

When a suspicious area is observed on the vocal cord, the patient is taken to the operating room for a sample to be taken from this area. Before going to the operating room, necessary tests should be conducted to minimize anesthesia and bleeding risks. Once the patient is thoroughly anesthetized in the operating room, special tools are used to access the vocal cords through the mouth without making any incisions in the neck. The images of the vocal cords are enlarged with the help of a microscope, and the diseased area is examined in detail. Depending on the region, size, and depth of the lesion on the vocal cords, the entire lesion or a portion of it may be excised for sampling. This obtained sample is then stained with specialized techniques and evaluated under a microscope for diagnosis.

Treatment of Vocal Cord Cancer

If the pathology results show that the lesion is precancerous and not cancerous, the patient is monitored and re-examined at appropriate intervals. If the suspicious area grows, deepens or becomes cancer-like, additional biopsies may be taken if necessary.

If the pathology result is reported as cancer, a treatment plan is created according to which parts of the vocal cords are affected, how much area is affected, how much it affects the vocal cord movements and whether it has spread to nearby and distant organs. This plan may include a single method such as surgery or multiple methods such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy.