Role of biopsy in low-grade laryngeal chondrosarcoma: report of two cases

Pathologica. 2013 Feb;105(1):5-7.

Abstract

Laryngeal chondrosarcomas are rare tumours that account for less than 1% of all sarcomas and originate principally from the crycoid cartilage. We report two cases: the former arising from thyroid cartilage in an 85-year-old male presenting with a palpable neck mass and hoarseness, dyspnoea and dysphagia; the other in a 54-year-old male with a mass growing from crycoid cartilage, who underwent biopsy followed by total laryngectomy. We discuss the peculiarity of the site of origin and the role of biopsy, the clinical presentation of the former case and the diagnostic and therapeutic procedures of the latter. Since it is a rare form of sarcoma arising in the larynx, we discuss the role of biopsy as a crucial although still controversial diagnostic tool.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Biopsy
  • Chondrosarcoma / complications
  • Chondrosarcoma / diagnosis*
  • Chondrosarcoma / surgery
  • Hoarseness / etiology
  • Humans
  • Laryngeal Neoplasms / complications
  • Laryngeal Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Laryngeal Neoplasms / surgery
  • Laryngectomy
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Grading
  • Thyroid Cartilage / pathology
  • Thyroid Cartilage / surgery