Smoker's Polyp (Reinke's Edema)

Smoking has numerous adverse effects on our health. A significant portion of the changes it causes in the vocal cords can lead to vocal problems. Even without an underlying serious illness, smoking can cause edema in the vocal cords. This edema is more frequently observed in women. We refer to this condition as smoker’s polyp or Reinke’s edema.

Patients with smoker’s polyp, also known as Reinke’s Edema, may experience:

– Deepening of the voice

– A raspy voice

– Easy vocal fatigue

– A hoarse, barely audible voice

– Symptoms such as shortness of breath.

The treatment for smoker’s polyp is vocal cord surgery performed through the mouth. During this surgery, the edema or polyp on the vocal cords is excised. Our patients begin speaking after a short period of vocal rest following the surgery. Post-operative voice therapy is essential for a rapid and successful recovery.

If left untreated, smoker’s polyp can lead to severe shortness of breath and increased hoarseness over time. More importantly, the vital risk also increases because it becomes difficult to identify diseases such as laryngeal cancer and lung cancer, which could otherwise be recognized early by the onset of hoarseness.

If you or a loved one smokes and has experienced a deepening of the voice, they should consult a physician specializing in voice disorders at the earliest opportunity.