Ask An Expert: Acid Reflux

Content provided by the Faculty of the Harvard Medical School

Ask An Expert: Acid Reflux

Question:

I have been diagnosed with acid reflux that has caused granulomas on my vocal cords. What are the chances of this turning into cancer?

Answer:

Acid reflux occurs when stomach acid comes back up from the stomach into the esophagus. The acid can back up even further, making its way to the throat and mouth. This usually occurs at nighttime when we lay down and sleep. Sometimes you may notice heartburn, but many times the symptoms are subtler. For example, the only symptom may be a persistent sore throat, nagging cough or voice change.

Treating acid reflux usually includes elevating the head of the bed, not eating two to three hours prior to sleep, avoiding spicy and acidic foods, and sometimes taking medication to block the production of stomach acid.

Granulomas of the vocal cords are a type of inflammation that can be caused by acid reflux. They often go away with proper treatment of the reflux. While the chances of the granulomas turning into cancer are slim, chronic changes in your voice and airway are a significant concern. You should treat the reflux while the complications are reversible.

David Vernick, M.D. is assistant clinical professor of otology and laryngology at Harvard Medical School and interim chief of the Division of Otology and Laryngology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.

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Last updated:	July 07, 2007

Medical content reviewed by the Faculty of the Harvard Medical School. Harvard Health Publications, Copyright © 2007 by President and Fellows of Harvard College. All rights reserved. Used with permission of StayWell.

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