What does cordectomy mean?
Cordectomy is the surgical removal of a vocal cord — more precisely a vocal fold — usually performed to treat early-stage cancer of the larynx, though it may also address persistent polyps, papillomas, or other localised lesions. Because the vocal cords are essential to producing voiced sound, removing one inevitably alters the voice, typically leaving it hoarser and breathier; yet most patients retain serviceable speech, which is precisely why cordectomy is preferred over more extensive procedures such as total laryngectomy when the tumour is small and confined. Modern practice often uses laser techniques via endoscope, avoiding open-neck incisions and shortening recovery. Classified into numbered types according to how much tissue is removed, the operation sits at the intersection of oncology and voice preservation. It is a specialist term of otolaryngology, encountered mainly in clinical settings, but it offers a striking example of medicine balancing cure against quality of life.
nounA surgical operation to remove all or part of a vocal cord (vocal fold), performed most often to treat early-stage cancer or other lesions of the larynx.
- The surgical removal of a vocal cord (vocal fold), typically to treat early glottic cancer or benign lesions of the larynx.
"Following the cordectomy, the patient's voice was hoarse but speech remained intelligible."
"An early diagnosis meant that a laser cordectomy could preserve most of his voice."
"The laryngologist recommended cordectomy over radiotherapy for the small glottic lesion."
Plural refers either to multiple instances of the procedure or, less commonly, to removal of both cords described across cases.
"The unit performs several cordectomies each year."
Remove one of your two vocal cords and you can still speak — just with a noticeably breathier voice, which is why surgeons favour this precise operation for early laryngeal cancer.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of cordectomy
Cordectomy derives from the ancient Greek root 'khordē', meaning gut string or sinew, which also gave English the words 'cord' and 'chord'; it is combined with '-ectomy', from Greek 'ek' (out) and 'tomē' (cutting), the standard suffix for surgical excision. The term entered medical language in the late nineteenth or early twentieth century as laryngeal surgery matured, alongside sibling terms such as tonsillectomy and appendectomy.
How cordectomy is actually used
A strictly technical medical term used by otolaryngologists and in clinical literature; it would rarely appear outside a medical context. Surgeons sometimes grade cordectomies into types (I–VI) according to extent. The variant spelling 'chordectomy' reflects the older anatomical spelling 'chord'.
Easily confused with cordectomy
Chordectomy is an alternative spelling of essentially the same operation, but 'cord' in general English also means rope or electrical cable, which has nothing to do with surgery.