Medical: Phonation nodules corns” of the vocal folds, vocal fold nodules
Definition
Stimmlippenknötchen (Phonationsknötchen or also vocal cord nodules) are counted among the benign tumors of the larynx. One speaks also of a “tumor at the vocal folds“, but it is not a spreading (metastasizing) cancer (cancer of the larynx). Vocal fold nodules can occur at any age and cause a considerable reduction in our voice and speech quality. Hoarseness and rough voice are the main symptoms. Vocal fold nodules can be well treated by sparing the voice or by minor surgery.
Causes
In general, overuse of the vocal cords is the cause of the development of nodules. This overstrain can have different individual reasons. Thus particularly persons are concerned, who stress their voice vocationally strongly as for instance singers/inside or teachers/inside.
Why some people are more prone to the development of vocal nodules than others is not yet fully understood. A wrong voice technique will be the causal factor in some cases. Another group of people with a high incidence of vocal nodules are babies who cry a lot (“writing babies”).
In these children, the cause of the excessive crying should be found if possible to prevent the development of the nodules. In principle, the overloading of the vocal cords causes water retention, which leads to so-called soft nodules. As a rule, these can be reduced by protecting the voice.
When the vocal cords are continuously stressed, so-called hard nodules form on the floor of these soft nodules, which must be removed surgically. Since the vocal cords no longer fit together perfectly due to the nodules, the familiar hoarse voice occurs when speaking. A precancerous condition is a change in the tissue, which can show itself for example in the form of a mucous membrane proliferation (polyp).
It represents a possible precursor of a malignant tumor or may even be in transition to a malignant cancer. However, vocal fold nodules are a benign growth and not a precancerous growth, as the nodules are caused by overuse of the vocal folds. The nodules often recede on their own after successful therapy.
A distinction must be made between the harmless vocal cord nodules and so-called laryngeal papillomatosis, in which mucous membrane nodules can form throughout the larynx, including on the vocal folds. These are usually caused by an infection with the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), which can usually be transmitted through oral sexual intercourse. These represent a precancerous condition and can therefore develop into malignant cancer of the larynx.
Vocal fold nodules mainly occur in people who use their voice continuously and intensively. This includes certain occupational groups such as: Some develop vocal folds even though they do not strain their voice excessively. This is probably due to incorrect vocal technique. Consciously speaking up or imitating different sounds can also lead to the formation of nodules on the vocal folds.
- Singers
- Teachers
- And some politicians.
