Vocal Cord Cancer
Vocal Cord Cancer
Cell division is a biological event that is necessary for the reproduction of single-celled organisms, the renewal of tissues in multicellular organisms and the growth and development of living organisms.
This division occurs continuously in some tissues and at certain times in others. Healthy cells in the human body, except muscle and nerve cells, are also capable of division.
Cell division is controlled by a mechanism composed of groups of molecules that work cyclically in the cell and coordinate the events that occur in the cell. Sometimes, due to some damage to the DNA, cells continue to divide uncontrollably and multiply, even though there is no need for new cells, i.e. no need for division. These unnecessary cells accumulate into a mass and form tumors. Malignant tumors / tumors formed by the mass of cells in tissues or organs that divide and multiply outside the control of the control mechanism are called cancer. These malignant tumors can compress, infiltrate or damage normal tissues to make room for themselves. In addition, cancer cells can leave the tumor in which they accumulate and reach other tissues and organs through the blood, spread rapidly throughout the body (metastasis), and continue their irregular and uncontrolled division to form new tumors.
1 Session
3 Days
Lifetime
1 Hour
5 Days Later
General Anesthesia
5 Days
What are the Symptoms of Vocal Cord Cancer?
The first and most obvious symptom of vocal cord formations such as nodules, polyps, cysts or precancerous cells is hoarseness lasting more than two weeks. Symptoms such as voice changes, difficulty in breathing, chronic sore throat, ear pain, bloody cough, difficulty in swallowing and swallowing, lumps/masses felt in the neck area, weight loss may also be observed together with or independently of hoarseness.
When symptoms appear or complaints increase, the patient should be examined in detail by an ear-nose-throat specialist. First of all, the vocal cords are examined with endoscopic devices. The most commonly used endoscopic imaging tools are laryngoscopy, which consists of a light, a camera and a narrow tunnel through the nose, and videostroboscopy, a telescope camera using an intermittent light source. If cancerous cells are found during this examination, tissue samples (biopsy) are taken for pathological examination. X-rays, ultrasonography, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can also be ordered if necessary. Subsequently, the diagnosis is made and a decision is made on the appropriate treatment methods, such as chemotherapy using chemical drugs, radiation therapy with radioactive rays / radiotherapy (radiation therapy) and endoscopic surgery. The condition and age of the patient, the stage of the cancer and the location of the cancer are important in the decision to be made.
Chemotherapy can sometimes be used alone or before, during or after radiotherapy and surgery. Chemotherapy, which is primarily used to shrink the tumor or prevent its growth, can be used in combination with other methods or as a preventive protocol to prevent the tumor from spreading. It is usually used for advanced cancers.
How Is Vocal Cord Cancer Surgery Performed?
Vocal Cord Surgery is usually performed in stages 1 and 2 of cancer. The aim is to destroy the tumor while preserving cancer-free normal tissue. It can be performed in the mouth or rarely in the neck.
Depending on the location and condition of the tumor in the surgery, most of the voice box can be removed with endoscopic surgical equipment, the voice box can be reconstructed, the tumor can be separated from its location by cutting or scraping, or it can be destroyed by laser application. Sometimes the larynx is completely removed or lymph nodes are removed.
Surgical interventions do not take long. However, the recovery time varies depending on the method and the operation performed. It is also decided whether radiotherapy or chemotherapy will be applied after surgery. Considering all these, it should be foreseen that the treatment can last from a few weeks to several years.