Voice Distortion Caution

Hoarseness may be the first symptom of various diseases.

The position of the vocal cords reminds us of their value. They are located in a strong tissue in our neck known as thyroid cartilage, indicating the need to protect them from external factors. The function of the vocal cords is not only to produce sound, the most important tool we use for communication, but also to protect the lower respiratory tract (trachea and lungs).

The vocal cords are one of the most traumatised parts of our body. They touch approximately 100-120 times in men and 200-240 times in women during speech.

Hoarseness, especially due to infections, can be the first symptom of various diseases such as benign diseases of the vocal cords (vocal cord nodule, vocal cord polyp, vocal cord cyst, sulcus vocalis, bleeding, laryngopharyngeal reflux, etc.), diseases that carry cancer risk for the vocal cords (white and red vocal cord disorders: leukoplakia, erythroplasia, keratosis, etc.) and vocal cord cancer - laryngeal cancer. For this reason, it is appropriate to consult an Otorhinolaryngologist, especially in hoarseness lasting longer than 10-14 days.

The attached photograph shows a pathological vocal cord lesion, vocal cord white lesion (leukoplakia), which indicates the onset of vocal cord cancer (carcinoma in situ).