title: A comparative histopathological study of vocal fold polyps in smokers versus non-smokers.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A large proportion of patients with vocal fold polyps are cigarette smokers. However, prior to this report no comparative study of polyp histopathology in smokers versus non-smokers had been performed.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective histopathological study of vocal fold polyps excised from 29 patients was undertaken. This comprised a comparative analysis of polyp histopathology in smokers versus non-smokers and a review of the pertinent literature.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Vocal fold polyps were larger in smokers than in non-smokers. Histopathological features significantly associated with the polyps of smokers versus those of non-smokers were increased keratinisation, dysplasia, a basement membrane thinning and hyaline degeneration.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cigarette smoke has an injurious effect on vocal fold polyp epithelium and leads to increased hyaline degeneration in polyps.
authors: Department of Otolaryngology,El-Sahel Teaching Hospital,Cairo,Egypt.
authors: K G
authors: KG
authors: Effat
authors: Department of Pathology,Cairo University Hospital,Egypt.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Milad
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D051457:Hyaline Cartilage / Q000473:pathology; D006965:Hyperplasia; D007820:Laryngeal Mucosa / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011127:Polyps / Q000473:pathology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000473:pathology*; D014827:Vocal Cords / Q000473:pathology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Histopathology; Polyps; Smoking; Vocal fold