They divide too much and form masses known as tumors. Some tumors may interfere with body functions and require surgical removal, but do not spread to other parts of the body. These are known as benign tumors. Malignant or cancerous tumors not only invade or destroy normal tissue, but, by a process known as metastasis, cells break away from the original tumor to other parts of the body. There they form more malignant tumors.
Cancers can spread rapidly or take years to grow.
Cancers of the true vocal cords progress slowly, but cancers of the false vocal cords grow rapidly and quickly spread to the lymph nodes. The most frequent and important sign of cancer of the larynx is persistent and worsening hoarseness. Although hoarseness may be caused by any condition that inhibits the vibration and movement of the vocal cords, it could also result from a tumor on the vocal cords, the most common early site of cancer of the larynx. Cancers of the vocal cords are not painful until later stage disease, when nearby tissues are involved, producing a chronic cough as well as hoarseness. Early growths elsewhere in the larynx can cause a change in voice pitch, a sense of discomfort in the throat, a lump in the throat, coughing, difficulty or pain in breathing or swallowing, and earache.