Vocal Fold Nodules

Nodules are symmetric, broad-based masses (“mass” simply means “lump”, and does not imply cancer) which occur at the midpoint of both vocal folds. Patients often complain of change in the tone of the voice that worsens with heavy voice use and can sometimes improve with voice rest. They can develop in anyone, and are usually caused by vocal abuse or inefficient voice use. In a simple way, they are like calluses of the vocal cords. They rarely require surgical treatment and the mainstay of treatment is speech therapy to change the vocal habits and hygiene that led to development of the nodules.