Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with GoogleGet your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
Voice Becoming Hoarse. Why? No Cold. Cancer Chances?
recently almost every day,usually later in the day,my voice becomes very hoarse and scratchy.Im not sure why this is happening.I have not had a change of address or any colds or problems with ventilation in my home.A friend of mine was concerened ,they had cancer discovered when a Dr. noticed his voice was so ruff and hoarse
Wed, 6 Mar 2013
Hi,
I am Dr Mbong. The likelihood of your voice hoarseness being of cancerous origin is likely if you smoke, take lots of alcoholic spirits, have a family history of throat cancer, strain a lot with your voice or do oral sex (some strains of HPV virus which can be contracted from oral sex) can cause throat cancer.
Otherwise if you use your voice a lot (at work or somewhere else) especially lately, then you can have voice hoarseness without it being a cancer.
Another cause may be the onset of a palsy of the nerve that innervates the voice box. It could also be onset of symptoms of a voice box muscle involvement of a myaesthenia gravis (or some other related muscle weakness disorder) which often worsens with time of the day.
Please see a physician for thorough examination and proper work-up in order to determine the cause.
Courage and wish you the best,
Dr Mbong
I am Dr Mbong. The likelihood of your voice hoarseness being of cancerous origin is likely if you smoke, take lots of alcoholic spirits, have a family history of throat cancer, strain a lot with your voice or do oral sex (some strains of HPV virus which can be contracted from oral sex) can cause throat cancer.
Otherwise if you use your voice a lot (at work or somewhere else) especially lately, then you can have voice hoarseness without it being a cancer.
Another cause may be the onset of a palsy of the nerve that innervates the voice box. It could also be onset of symptoms of a voice box muscle involvement of a myaesthenia gravis (or some other related muscle weakness disorder) which often worsens with time of the day.
Please see a physician for thorough examination and proper work-up in order to determine the cause.
Courage and wish you the best,
Dr Mbong
I find this answer helpful
1 Doctor agrees with this answer
User's Response
Dr. Phool Chander (MD Ayu)'s
Response
Hi rhjla5, I understand ur anxiety. Cancer is mainly found in elderly people (u didn't mention ur age), further positive family history, smoking, excessive alcohol contributes to chances of cancer, There may be some occupational chemical involved. Coming to ur problem, the hoarseness may b due to just excessive speaking or dusty environment or some chronic throat infection, or may be u have vocal cord nodule. cancer is always suspected first but detected uncommonly.
hope it helps. u need laryngoscopy if u dont get better in few days.
hope it helps. u need laryngoscopy if u dont get better in few days.
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer.
For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service
[Sample answer]
Related questions you may be interested in
Recent questions on Dysphonia
Loading Online Doctors....