Preserving Voice Quality After Thyroid Cancer

April 28, 2025

Thyroid cancer treatments can significantly impact the tone, pitch and staying power of a patient's voice in the months following surgery or radiation therapy.

“Our goal is to restore a person’s voice to their pre-surgery condition as much as possible," says N. Scott Howard, MD, MBA, otolaryngologist and Director of the University Hospitals Center for Voice Airway and Swallowing Disorders. “We understand how crucial voice is for personal and professional interactions and are committed to providing comprehensive care throughout the recovery process."

Nonsurgical Options to Enhance Recovery

"Many patients will see natural improvement in their voice quality over time," says Dr. Howard. "However, we have several strategies to help speed up and enhance the healing process.”

“The first step is an evaluation at our voice center,” says Dr. Howard, who emphasizes the importance of patience and targeted interventions during the healing period. “Vocal problems may occur due to nerve injury during surgery or the formation of scar tissue in the neck muscles or voice box after surgery. To achieve optimal outcomes, targeted interventions are essential during the healing period.”

A wide range of nonsurgical therapies can help minimize the side effects of thyroid cancer treatment, including:

Customized voice therapy with specialized speech therapists.
Targeted exercises to strengthen vocal folds and improve breath control.
Steroid injections to address scarring-related issues.
Neuromodulator treatments for patients experiencing neck muscle spasms.

Vocal Cord Paralysis: A Rare Complication

Vocal cord paralysis, while uncommon, can be a significant concern following thyroid cancer surgery. "Paralysis of one side of the throat can increase the risk of aspirating food or liquid into the lungs. Paralysis on both sides may cause severe breathing difficulties. Our approach is tailored to each patient's specific situation," explains Dr. Howard.

“For many patients, outpatient treatments like injections are used to improve the position of the paralyzed vocal cord and combined with voice therapy to significantly improve quality of life while they make a full recovery.”

Advanced Surgical Interventions

If injections and voice therapy don’t restore vocal quality, surgery may be an option. "We're constantly evolving our surgical techniques to provide the best outcomes," says Dr. Howard. “Most procedures are minimally invasive and can dramatically improve quality of life.”

Also under investigation are methods to improve the surgical experience for patients with holistic tools such as meditation, visualization techniques, and music therapy before and during surgery.

Comprehensive Rehabilitation

Dr. Howard stresses the importance of ongoing care for thyroid cancer patients. "Our speech language pathologists are essential to the recovery process," he says. "They work closely with patients on vocal exercises, breathing techniques and other strategies to prevent strain and obtain optimal results.”

"Every patient's journey is unique," Dr. Howard concludes. "Our mission is to provide personalized, comprehensive care that addresses both the physical and emotional aspects of voice recovery after thyroid cancer treatment. The ultimate goal is to give thyroid cancer survivors the best possible chance at voice restoration and a return to normal life.”