Beauty

[Sagal]

Has anyone had a growth on their vocal cord? What was the outcome and did you have a biopsy in an office procedure or hospital? I have one and am going to the dr next week to find out what's next so am just wondering - of course I'm nervous about cancer.

[Sagal]

I'm also wondering if this is what Joan Rivers was having done when she had to be rushed to the hospital.

[Tissyanne]

You may want to google Rachel Ray throat problems. I think she had that problem. My best wishes to you for a safe and speedy recovery. Sending hugs your direction.

[MarenSeattle]

I'm sorry I don't have any info for you, but just want to wish you the best!

[Sagal]

Thank you Tissyanne and MarenSeattle - how sweet of you to wish me well - thank you so much! I did read that they were looking at Joan Rivers' vocals cords when she went into cardiac arrest.

[roxyrn]

My daughter had a vocal cord growth several years ago. She was diagnosed and monitored by an ENT doctor, but when it increased in size and was possibly malignant, he referred her to a specialist at Yale Hospital. She had surgery there, it was not cancer.

I cannot imagine having a biopsy done anywhere else than a hospital with a surgeon. Doubtful that Joan Rivers would not be at a hospital having that procedure done, although she could have been having a scope done (and that usually does not cause cardiac arrest).

[FUTURE]

Do you know it's a growth? As in, you've been to an ENT and they have scoped and diagnosed you? If not, they will do that first to see if it's a nodule or polyp, or something else. Many procedures can be done in office, some with a laser, and some with micro laryngeal tools (think: the tiniest pair of scissors you've ever seen!) where they will remove the growth. Depending on the etiology of the growth, you may need to do voice therapy with a speech pathologist afterward. HTH!

[Shelbelle]

My daughter had a polyp removed from her vocal chord, outpatient surgery, quick recovery.

[PinkyPetunia]

My husband had a polyp removed from his vocal cord about 8 years ago. He had trouble talking before the procedure. Sometimes he'd open his mouth to speak and no sound came out. He was constantly clearing his throat.

He saw an ENT doc who removed a polyp in outpatient surgery in the hospital. It was cut off with a laser. They even took a photo of the area in color, before and after, and showed it to us. Quick recovery. no complications.

These growths are pretty common. I wouldn't worry. You'll be fine.

[KathT]

My husband has had vocal cord polyps that were a symptom of silent GERD. They were large enough that his airway was blocked when he was asleep(sleep apnea). They were removed with Outpatient surgery; the biopsy showed benign polyps. When another started growing, the doctor switched his GERD medicine to the purple pill which shrunk the polyp so that it was no longer visible. All his diagnostic scopes were done in the office. When the last one came back, his symptom was hoarseness. He had hoarseness along with the sleep apnea symptoms initially. Sending good thoughts your way, SAgirl, it is hard to relax when you are anticipating medical tests.