Laryngeal Chondrosarcoma in Sweden

Abstract

Between 1958 and 1972, 5 cases of posterior cricoid chondrosarcoma were reported to the Swedish Cancer Registry. These cases, and one recently observed case of laryngeal chondrosarcoma, are presented in this study of one female and five male patients. The tumours grow slowly and recur locally, but have not metastasized, and none of the patients has died from tumour disease. The clinical and morphological findings indicate that these tumours represent secondary chondrosarcomas developing from pre-existing benign ecchondromas. The reason for the uniformity as to localization is not known. The microscopic appearance varied in different parts of the same tumour. The presently obtained data and review of the literature indicate that laryngeal chondrosarcomas are extremely rare, locally invasive, but usually not me-tastasizing tumours. Conservative laryngeal operation is suggested as primary treatment. Total laryngectomy is necessary only after local recurrences involving a major portion of the cricoid cartilage.