Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypesWhat Does It Feel Like to Have Vocal Cord Nodules?DiagnosisTreatmentOutlook

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Types

What Does It Feel Like to Have Vocal Cord Nodules?

Diagnosis

Treatment

Outlook

Vocal cord nodules, also known as vocal fold nodules, are noncancerous growths that generally develop when a person misuses or overuses their voice. The incidence of vocal cord nodules is unknown but the incidence is much higher among individuals who use their voices as part of their profession.

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Vocal cord nodules are different than polyps (an overgrowth of tissue that usually arises from a mucous membrane) and cysts (an undefined mass of tissue that is usually not cancerous), which can also form on vocal cords.

Allergies and other irritants such as reflux laryngitis can also contribute to vocal cord nodules.

This article discusses the symptoms of vocal cord nodules, how they differ from polyps and cysts, and how nodules are diagnosed and treated.

Vocal Fry: Defining a Common Language Register

Vocal Cord Nodules vs. Polyps and Cysts

Vocal cord nodules, polyps, and cysts are all noncancerous growths, but they have some key differences:

They can differ in how they form as well:

Vocal cord nodules have a variety of symptoms that are unique to each individual. Some individuals with vocal cord nodules may experience the following symptoms:

Diagnosis of Vocal Cord Nodules

Prior to any major treatment, your healthcare provider is likely to recommend voice rest and then repeat the laryngoscopy in order to visualize any changes that occurred while resting your voice.

Vocal Cord Nodules Treatment

Conditions like GERD and allergies can cause additional swelling and inflammation around the vocal cord nodules. Your healthcare provider may give you recommendations for treating these conditions, through diet or medications, to help manage symptoms.

Often, speech therapy is beneficial. Speech therapists can teach you ways to reduce vocal cord abuse and use your voice more efficiently. Surgery is reserved for cases where your voice is significantly impacted and is not usually a first-line treatment.

Outlook for Vocal Cord Nodules

Summary

Vocal cord nodules are noncancerous growths that can develop when you overuse or misuse your voice over time. The usually happen in pairs on each vocal cord. You may have symptoms of hoarseness, a scratchy voice, and neck pain.

Vocal cord nodules are usually diagnosed through laryngoscopy to allow your healthcare provider to see the vocal cords. Treatment usually involves resting your voice and going to a speech therapist. In some cases, surgery to remove the vocal cord nodule may be recommended.

4 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Won SJ, Kim RB, Kim JP, Park JJ, Kwon MS, Woo SH.The prevalence and factors associate with vocal nodules in general population: Cross-sectional epidemiological study.Medicine (Baltimore). 2016;95(39):e4971. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000004971UT Southwestern Medical Center.Vocal cord nodules, polyps, and cysts.Vasconcelos D, Gomes AOC, Araújo CMT.Vocal Fold Polyps: Literature Review.Int Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2019;23(1):116–124. doi:10.1055/s-0038-1675391NYU Langone Health.Recovery and support for benign vocal cord lesions.Additional ReadingCipriani, N.A., Martin, D.E., Corey, J.P., Portugal, L., Caballero, N., Lester, R., … Taxy, J.B. (2011).The clinicopathologic spectrum of benign mass lesions of the vocal fold due to vocal abuse. Int J Surg Pathol. 19(5):583-7. doi:10.1177/1066896911411480.American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery.Fact Sheet: Nodules, Polyps, and Cysts.Cardesa, A. & Slootweg, P.J. (2006). Pathology of the Head and Neck. Springer Science & Business Media. New York.Schweinfurth, J. & Meyers, A.D. (2014).Vocal Fold Cysts.

4 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Won SJ, Kim RB, Kim JP, Park JJ, Kwon MS, Woo SH.The prevalence and factors associate with vocal nodules in general population: Cross-sectional epidemiological study.Medicine (Baltimore). 2016;95(39):e4971. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000004971UT Southwestern Medical Center.Vocal cord nodules, polyps, and cysts.Vasconcelos D, Gomes AOC, Araújo CMT.Vocal Fold Polyps: Literature Review.Int Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2019;23(1):116–124. doi:10.1055/s-0038-1675391NYU Langone Health.Recovery and support for benign vocal cord lesions.Additional ReadingCipriani, N.A., Martin, D.E., Corey, J.P., Portugal, L., Caballero, N., Lester, R., … Taxy, J.B. (2011).The clinicopathologic spectrum of benign mass lesions of the vocal fold due to vocal abuse. Int J Surg Pathol. 19(5):583-7. doi:10.1177/1066896911411480.American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery.Fact Sheet: Nodules, Polyps, and Cysts.Cardesa, A. & Slootweg, P.J. (2006). Pathology of the Head and Neck. Springer Science & Business Media. New York.Schweinfurth, J. & Meyers, A.D. (2014).Vocal Fold Cysts.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Won SJ, Kim RB, Kim JP, Park JJ, Kwon MS, Woo SH.The prevalence and factors associate with vocal nodules in general population: Cross-sectional epidemiological study.Medicine (Baltimore). 2016;95(39):e4971. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000004971UT Southwestern Medical Center.Vocal cord nodules, polyps, and cysts.Vasconcelos D, Gomes AOC, Araújo CMT.Vocal Fold Polyps: Literature Review.Int Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2019;23(1):116–124. doi:10.1055/s-0038-1675391NYU Langone Health.Recovery and support for benign vocal cord lesions.

Won SJ, Kim RB, Kim JP, Park JJ, Kwon MS, Woo SH.The prevalence and factors associate with vocal nodules in general population: Cross-sectional epidemiological study.Medicine (Baltimore). 2016;95(39):e4971. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000004971

UT Southwestern Medical Center.Vocal cord nodules, polyps, and cysts.

Vasconcelos D, Gomes AOC, Araújo CMT.Vocal Fold Polyps: Literature Review.Int Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2019;23(1):116–124. doi:10.1055/s-0038-1675391

NYU Langone Health.Recovery and support for benign vocal cord lesions.

Cipriani, N.A., Martin, D.E., Corey, J.P., Portugal, L., Caballero, N., Lester, R., … Taxy, J.B. (2011).The clinicopathologic spectrum of benign mass lesions of the vocal fold due to vocal abuse. Int J Surg Pathol. 19(5):583-7. doi:10.1177/1066896911411480.American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery.Fact Sheet: Nodules, Polyps, and Cysts.Cardesa, A. & Slootweg, P.J. (2006). Pathology of the Head and Neck. Springer Science & Business Media. New York.Schweinfurth, J. & Meyers, A.D. (2014).Vocal Fold Cysts.

Cipriani, N.A., Martin, D.E., Corey, J.P., Portugal, L., Caballero, N., Lester, R., … Taxy, J.B. (2011).The clinicopathologic spectrum of benign mass lesions of the vocal fold due to vocal abuse. Int J Surg Pathol. 19(5):583-7. doi:10.1177/1066896911411480.

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