Vocal nodule

Hello all. I'm a woman in my late 30s and I have been problems (hoarseness and pain, particularly on the one side) with my voice for 4 months. I am also a singer. Last week I went to ENT and the endoscope showed what the consultant said was 'an early vocal nodule'. I was given some leaflets on voice care, told that I would be referred for vocal therapy and sent on my way. I thought, great, vocal nodules, I'll have some rest and therapy which will sort it out sharpish. "Vocal nodules" are benign, easily treatable, occur in pairs and are quite common for singers. 

6 days later I got a text from the hospital calling me in for an a MRI. I thought it was some kind of scam or clerical error! I have discovered ENT used the term "vocal nodule'" to mean a single bump on my vocal fold and they don’t yet know exactly what that is. 

Confusing, right?!

Obviously I'm feeling pretty shocked as I thought everything was ok and I'm now worried that my vocal nodule may be malignant. I'm hoping it's some kind of benign polyp or cyst.

Has anyone else had a similar experience? I want the next few weeks to disappear, until I know the results of the MRI. I know it could be far worse but it's hard to forget about it when your voice is your work as well as everything else.

  • Hi there,

    Welcome to Cancer Chat. I can understand this must be worrying and I'm sure the uncertainty is difficult to deal with. Try not to assume anything at this point, and hopefully it won't be too long to wait until the appointment and then to get the answers you need. In the meantime try to keep busy where possible to help keep your mind off any worries.

    Hopefully you'll get some more replies here soon and I hope that the forum is useful for you.

    Wishing you all the best,

    Ben
    Cancer Chat Moderator