What were your very early symptoms of vocal cord cancer?

Hi Stephanie
Generally speaking, it is better to be proactive than to try to match a list of possible symptoms to what you currently have. You will scare yourself to death that way. Although the odds favor a benign cause of your symptoms (most people who get various types of vocal cord dysfunction do not have cancer), it is within the realm of possible that you have a problem. Because of this you should seek the help of someone qualified to properly diagnose and treat you. For purposes of your current set of symptoms, that would be an ENT doctor. If you have one in mind, just make an appointment, if not, get your GP to make a referral. The sooner you do this, the sooner your mind will be put to rest about the symptoms you have.

Best to you.


pat

phrannie51 said:

Agree.......
Go to an ENT and get checked out mainly to put your mind at ease...there are many things that can happen to vocal cords...polyps, strain...etc........other than cancer...

My mom had laryngeal cancer, she was hoarse for many weeks....months...like a frog in her throat...she was also a long term smoker, tho quit years before her cancer...and she was in her 60's.

Get yourself checked out so you can rest easy.

p

Definitely agree!
Stephanie, as the others have said, go get checked ASAP! I am 66, used my vocal cords alot with singing, praying in church. I've always had a low voice but noticed it getting hoarse and harder to get out the sounds. I've always heard that singers can get polyps so as soon as I could I got to an ENT. He verified with a "scope" that I did indeed have polyps....but in the surgery, where he could see better, he also saw a small spindel cell carcinoma. I have never smoked or drank but I did have reflux, which evidently was the only thing it was attributed to. You probably don't have cancer but maybe polyps but only an ENT can tell you for sure. Don't be scared just get it checked! Best to you!

Mrs. Sarge said:

Definitely agree!
Stephanie, as the others have said, go get checked ASAP! I am 66, used my vocal cords alot with singing, praying in church. I've always had a low voice but noticed it getting hoarse and harder to get out the sounds. I've always heard that singers can get polyps so as soon as I could I got to an ENT. He verified with a "scope" that I did indeed have polyps....but in the surgery, where he could see better, he also saw a small spindel cell carcinoma. I have never smoked or drank but I did have reflux, which evidently was the only thing it was attributed to. You probably don't have cancer but maybe polyps but only an ENT can tell you for sure. Don't be scared just get it checked! Best to you!

thyriid
I have spindrl cells in my thyroid I am so scared I was gold Dr don't know much about this cell can you tell me what you k ow please

Ingrid K said:

thyroid
Aliceniki,

I don't know much about spindel cell disease, but I do know that it is very rare. Hopefully someone with more knowledge will chime in, but in the meantime, try and check out the Thyroid discussion boards. They may have more info.

wish you the best

Spindel Cell
I was told that Spindel Cell is just a derivative of the common squamous cell carcinoma. It IS more rare, and it IS more agressive, usually. The treatment is that same, as I understand it. Don't be scared, be proactive and get it treated!! Best to you!

Grandmax4 said:

Go with your instincts
Even tho, I didn't want to believe cancer had happened to me, and even tho, my family doctor told me 3 times,3 visits that she saw nothing...I knew the feeling of something stuck in my throat, was not a normal feeling...now 8 months later, the cancer is gone, i'm healing on schudule, getting use to my new normal, so very gratful I went with my instinct ( and a little nudge from God ) and saw a ENT. Please get checked~~

Vocal cord cancer
I had larynx cancer in 2009, it started as a sore throat and my voice would crack a little and then slowly it started going away, went to the ENT and he said I had a swelling on my false vocal cord and not to worry about it. The voice turned into a squeak and I went to a major cancer institute about 30 miles from where I live. The doc said "it's cancer" and scheduled me a for biopsy that confirmed it as SSC of the larynx situated on my false vocal cord. Went through 35 rads and 3 blasts of cisplatin and here I am. And as you may see from my picture I made a living with my voice and nimble fingers. Had a polyp removed from that exact spot in 1996, that was deemed to be an inverted papilloma.

My Symptoms.
I went to an ENT, a voice specialist, due to hoarseness. She said she could tell by listening to me that I was straining my voice. So I started on voice lessons. My voice got better for awhile. But at the six month mark, I became so hoarse that a person across the room could not understand me.

I was diagnosed with cancer and treated with radiation only. I had multiple scans and biopsies, all negative. Then I found it extremely hard to breathe on exertion. When scoped by the ENT, I had a large tumor that was cutting off my air supply. I had an urgent trachostomy.

After the biopsy confirmed the return of the cancer, I had a laryngectomy, which is a permanent removal of the vocal cords. I also underwent a second series of radiation and chemo. The treatment was over last February.

It is sad for me to admit: I knew I had cancer (or was certain that something was very wrong) before the medical tests confirmed the diagnosis.

I am learning esophageal speech. I swallow air and burp to talk. This is not an exact description, but you get the point. There are other ways to regain speech..

I've been through a lot, but I'm still kicking. The diagnosis of cancer is not the end but the start. Even the fear of the diagnosis can be a start. Do all you can to stay healthy. Eat a balanced diet. Exercise. Enjoy your baby. I'm sure you do. Rick.