Thyroid Cancer

Thyroid Cancer Surgery in India - Can Surgery Affect Your Voice?

Surgery for thyroid cancer involves operating near nerves that control your voice. This short explains how your voice may be affected and what to expect.

The nerves that control your voice

Two important nerves are located very close to the thyroid gland.

• The recurrent laryngeal nerve. This nerve controls the movement of your vocal cords. Damage to it can cause hoarseness or a weak, breathy voice.
• The superior laryngeal nerve. This nerve helps control the pitch of your voice. An injury may make it difficult to sing or shout.
• Surgeon's priority. The surgeon's aim is to remove the cancer completely while preserving these nerves wherever possible.
• Nerve monitoring. During the operation, a special device is often used to monitor the nerves to help reduce the risk of injury.

Potential changes to your voice after surgery

Most voice changes after a thyroidectomy are temporary.

• Temporary hoarseness. This is common and is often due to swelling or bruising around the nerves or from the breathing tube used during anaesthesia. It usually resolves within a few weeks or months.
• Permanent change. Permanent voice change is uncommon. It can happen if a nerve is bruised, stretched, or, in rare cases, has to be cut to remove all of the cancer.
• Voice fatigue. You may find your voice gets tired more easily, especially in the first few weeks after the operation.
• Recovery support. If your voice is affected, speech and language therapy can help you to recover function and adapt.

The risks and potential outcomes of surgery depend on your specific case. A final treatment plan can only be made after a specialist has reviewed your medical reports and recent imaging.