Definition
Cancer of the vocal cords is a malignant tumor disease of the vocal cords and the most common subtype of cancer of the throat (about 2/3). Synonyms are also the glottis carcinoma, the vocal fold carcinoma or the vocal cord carcinoma. Throat cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors of the ear, nose and throat. The disease mostly occurs in men between 50 and 70 years of age. However, women are also increasingly affected by the increased consumption of tobacco.
What are the symptoms of vocal cord cancer?
The main symptom of vocal cord cancer is usually hoarseness that lasts for weeks or months. This can be accompanied by a scratching in the throat, which means that those affected often have to clear their throat. If the tumor becomes larger, a permanent foreign body sensation or difficulty swallowing can occur.
A chronic cough can also occur. If the disease is very advanced, breathing difficulties with breathing sounds may also occur. Often patients even develop shortness of breath (dyspnoea).
Furthermore, swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck area is also possible if the tumor forms metastases (daughter ulcers). Since the symptoms of this form of laryngeal cancer usually appear early, the disease can often be detected early.
- Hoarseness – All information on this topic
- What symptoms indicate throat cancer?
Causes of vocal cord cancer
The main cause of all laryngeal tumors is tobacco consumption, which increases the risk 20-fold in men and 5-10-fold in women. Throat cancer is very rare among non-smokers. Alcohol abuse is regarded as a further cause.
In addition, it appears that increased alcohol consumption, especially in combination with other risk factors (such as smoking), increases the probability of developing a malignant tumor of the larynx. Other causes may be viruses such as HPV (human papilloma viruses). An HPV infection initially leads to a benign tumor disease called laryngeal papillomatosis, from which a malignant tumor can develop.
Exposure to asbestos can also lead to cancer of the throat. Finally, working with wood and metal dusts as well as paints and varnishes containing chromium and nickel is also a risk factor for the development of vocal cord cancer. Another risk factor is reflux disease, in which acid gastric juice passes from the stomach into the esophagus, where it can lead to changes in the tissue.
Furthermore, chronic inflammation of the larynx (laryngitis) can also lead to a malignant tumor in this area. A weakened immune system, for example after an HIV infection or similar, can also lead to an increased risk of developing this tumor. The tumor often develops over years.
First, so-called dysplasias, changes in the tissue that lead to the loss of the classical structure and function, or hyperplasias (too many cells) develop. This is called precancerosis, a kind of precancerous stage. Over time, this can develop into a malignant tumor. The most common precursor of vocal cord cancer is the so-called vocal fold leukoplakia, a whitish, non-wipeable tissue change. It can only be determined microscopically whether it is the benign precursor or the malignant tumor.
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