Will vocal cord leukoplakia become cancerous?

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Will vocal cord leukoplakia become cancerous?

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Will vocal cord leukoplakia become cancerous?  Although the exact cause of vocal cord leukoplakia is still unknown, like many diseases, it also has common predisposing factors that can lead to its occurrence.

Laryngeal leukoplakia refers to the appearance of white plaques on the mucosal surface of the larynx, which are sheet-like keratosis hyperplastic lesions, which mostly occur in the vocal cord mucosa, also known as vocal cord leukoplakia.

Clinical symptoms of leukoplakia:

Hoarseness is usually the first symptom, and the course of the disease is often longer. It can also be manifested as throat discomfort, foreign body sensation, dry and painful throat, easy to pronounce fatigue, poor breathing, chronic cough and so on.

Many people have never heard of vocal cord leukoplakia, but everyone who knows vocal cord leukoplakia is “distracted”, why?

This is because the vocal cord leukoplakia has a certain cancer rate. A study in the Chinese Journal of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology has shown that the cancer rate of vocal cord leukoplakia is as high as 13.4%.

However, the carcinogenesis of vocal cord leukoplakia is a gradual process (the average conversion time is about 5-6 years), and there are different types and stages of development. Not all of them will develop into laryngeal cancer.

Leukoplakia is a precancerous lesion of the larynx, but in histopathology, it has both inflammatory lesions, precancerous lesions, and even cancerous changes.

Clinically, laryngo leukoplakia is divided into two types:

1 No cell variants.

The epithelial layer of the laryngeal mucosa presents hyperkeratosis or hypokeratosis, and the cell morphology is unchanged. This type is also called simple laryngeal leukoplakia, which usually does not become cancerous.

2 Cell variants.

In addition to the hyperkeratosis or hypokeratosis of the epithelial layer of the laryngeal mucosa, the morphology of local cells has also changed, with enlarged nuclei and division. This type of cancer has a higher rate of cancer.

Whether leukoplakia in the larynx will become cancerous has a lot to do with whether the local cells are mutated and the degree of mutation. It is recommended that when you find persistent hoarseness of unknown cause, you should go to the hospital for examination in time. Early detection and appropriate treatment are the key to obtaining the best prognosis of leukoplakia and improving the quality of life of patients.

Six major causes can cause vocal cord leukoplakia

Although the exact cause of vocal cord leukoplakia is still unknown, like many diseases, it also has common predisposing factors that can lead to its occurrence.

1: Chronic inflammation

Chronic laryngitis or inflammation of the surrounding organs can repeatedly irritate the vocal cords over a long period of time.

2: Acid reflux

Acid reflux has also been paid more attention to by otolaryngologists for more than ten years. The acid reflux in the throat will irritate the vocal cords, which is naturally an important cause of vocal cord leukoplakia, and currently suffers from gastroesophageal reflux disease. People are not in the minority and need attention.

3: Tobacco and Alcohol

Vocal cord leukoplakia mainly occurs in middle-aged and elderly men, and most patients have a history of smoking and drinking, and are closely related to long-term vocal stimulation.

4: Too much talk

Often speak excessively loudly, excessive collision of the vocal cord mucosa, hyperplasia and hypertrophy of the epithelium. Therefore, for teachers, actors, businessmen and other special people who overuse their voices, special attention should be paid to voice protection.

5: fatigue and low immunity

When fatigue and immunity are low, any part of the body is susceptible to damage and pathological changes occur. Naturally, the vocal cords are no exception. Therefore, people who are busy at work or have excessive play and do not have enough rest should also be wary of this disease.

6: malnutrition

Lack of vitamin A and vitamin B can also cause vocal cord leukoplakia.

Will vocal cord leukoplakia become cancerous?

(source:internet, reference only)

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