Vocal Cord Lesions

Altered Voice Quality

Lesions on the vocal cord(s) alter vocal cord vibration, resulting in hoarseness and a chronic alteration in one’s voice quality. These noncancerous growths on the vocal cords form with voice misuse or overuse and from injury to the vocal cords. The most common lesions are called vocal nodules, or “singer’s nodes”. These nodes are very similar to calluses on the vocal cords. Treatment for vocal cord lesions usually includes rest and/or speech therapy to train speaking technique to relive trauma to the vocal cords. Polyp(s) or cyst(s) are other types of vocal cord lesions that usually must be removed surgically after nonsurgical treatments have failed.