Vocal Cord Cancer

The otolaryngologist is the specialist who diagnoses and follows up on cancer of the vocal cords, a malignant tumor that originates in the folds of tissue in the larynx responsible for producing the voice.

Frequent symptoms:

• Hoarseness or changes in the voice that do not go away
• A sensation of a foreign body in the throat
• Persistent discomfort or throat clearing
• In advanced stages, difficulty breathing or swallowing

Associated factors: It is usually related to prolonged exposure to tobacco and other irritants of the respiratory tract.

When to see a doctor?: Hoarseness that lasts for weeks deserves a review. Having an otolaryngologist examine the larynx in time is the best way to clarify the origin of the symptom and define the next steps.