Polyps on my vocal cord: What does this mean?

Hi @kaytie Welcome to the head and neck cancer group. We can see if someone here is familiar with the treatment of polypoids as likely they have cropped up as a result of radiation treatment or similar. As far as I understand, polypoids are not cancerous but may be pre-cancer markers similar to polyps found elsewhere. I imagine you are experiencing some vocal issues or perhaps pain, which is why you looked for help.
Let’s see what responses arise. In the meantime welcome and good healing.

On two occasions I developed nodules on my vocal cords since my treatment for throat cancer, both benign. My voice was affected, and it did nothing to enhance my karaoke singing, but otherwise, I noticed no other complications. Good luck!

Thank you for your reply.also is surgery the first option for this.or maybe should they try something else first.

I had two surgeries before they determined the nodules were just benign growths. After that, they'll assume future ones to be the same.

Hi I have a polyp on my vocal cord and they want to do surgery my question is will polyps go away on there own.and if surgery is done does voice get better.

@kaytie

Sometimes polyps go away on their own….not always. Why do they want to do surgery? I am assuming a scope was done. Has it affected your voice? Has treatment been suggested such as speech therapy? Is the polyp benign?

Six years ago I regurgitated under anesthesia for a routine colonoscopy. Finally west to my ENT practice and was sent for a scope and told to limit my talking. I was very hoarse . Two ENTs recommended different solutions…one was surgery to remove some benign polyps…also had some visible irritation of the cords. My regular ENT who had returned from vacation disagreed and sent me for 12 weeks worth of speech therapy which helped me enormously. It did take me close to a year to completely heal the vocal cords and regain full speech…(I would get hoarse with prolonged talking).

So I am suggesting a second opinion only from my personal experience. Make sure you have all the reasons for the surgery decision and then go seek another opinion. Also, if your speech is being affected, try to limit your talking if you can.

FL Mary

Hello @kaytie. Has your doctor diagnosed what has caused the polyp? Is it known to be benign? My educated guess is that if the inciting cause is removed that perhaps there could be some shrinkage. Like stop smoking if a smoker or medication for acid reflux if that is an issue. Do polyps ever become malignant over time? A good question for your doctor. If there is a risk like with colon polyps then perhaps surgery is a god idea, despite the side effects and risk of complications.