Granuloma on Vocal Chord

[mookie1645]

I have suffered from a sore throat and cronic cough for 2 months.  I was being treated with advair for a few months,because they thought I had asthma.  All my breathing tests were normal, but I have a cough.  I saw an ENT 3 weeks ago and he said I have a small granuloma on my left vocal chord.  They started me on a double dose of prilosec, because they suspect GERD.  I'm wondering if I should be real concerned?  The pain is not constant, but is worse if I talk a lot.  Any suggestions?  The ENT Doc seems to think it will improve with time.  As always, one worries it could be cancer.  I don't smoke, but like to have a few cocktails.

[mikey226]

I too had five surgeries for  what at first were nodules on my vocal chords.  After the first surgery a Granuloma formed and returned after 4 more surgeries over and over.  I went to 4 different doctors and hospitals.  I was sent for voice therapy for many weeks.  I was put on Nexium, omeprazole, steroids and God only knows what other acid reflux meds.  I received 3 treatments of Botox on my vocal chords.  After two years of this repeated, seemed to be worthless treatment, finally the granuloma shrunk and disappeared.  The solution was Prevacid before breakfast, Prevacid before lunch and Ranitidide (Zantac 300mg) before dinner.  No engourging your stomach before bed and sleeping with my upper body on an angle to help keep the acid down.  You should also know I never had any acid reflux symptoms.  No heartburn, no discomfort in my throat what so ever. I am now a year free from granuloma.  It seems to have come about from acid reflux but possibly ignited from the first surgery from being intubated.

[mikey226]

I too had five surgeries for  what at first were nodules on my vocal chords.  After the first surgery a Granuloma formed and returned after 4 more surgeries over and over.  I went to 4 different doctors and hospitals.  I was sent for voice therapy for many weeks.  I was put on Nexium, omeprazole, steroids and God only knows what other acid reflux meds.  I received 3 treatments of Botox on my vocal chords.  After two years of this repeated, seemed to be worthless treatment, finally the granuloma shrunk and disappeared.  The solution was Prevacid before breakfast, Prevacid before lunch and Ranitidide (Zantac 300mg) before dinner.  No engourging your stomach before bed and sleeping with my upper body on an angle to help keep the acid down.  You should also know I never had any acid reflux symptoms.  No heartburn, no discomfort in my throat what so ever. I am now a year free from granuloma.  It seems to have come about from acid reflux but possibly ignited from the first surgery from being intubated.

[National Jewish Health]

You should ask your doctors to try to confirm the presumptive diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).  This can be done by x-ray barium swallow, a pH probe or direct examination of your esophagus by esophagoscopy.  You should ask the ENT how certain he/she is that the vocal cord nodule is a granuloma.  If there is any doubt, a biopsy should be considered.