Cartilaginous tumors of the larynx: endoscopic laser management using YAG/KTP

Abstract

Background: The objective of this study was to analyze results of endoscopic YAG laser management as a treatment of chondroma and/or low-grade laryngeal chondrosarcoma.

Methods: Between 1996 and 2006, 13 patients were included, 11 men and 2 women with a median age of 69.7 years at diagnosis. Primary treatment included endoscopic laser resection in all cases. All tumors were diagnosed as cricoid cartilaginous tumor by histopathologic examination: 6 chondromas and 7 chondrosarcomas grade 1.

Results: The global actuarial survival rate was 95% for 5 years. The 5-year Kaplan-Meier disease-free survival and overall recurrence rate estimates were 72% and 54%, respectively. With a median follow-up time of 5 years, 12 of 13 patients were without recurrence. Nine were alive and 4 died during follow-up, and only 1 patient died from disease. Three patients required definitive tracheotomy. None had required it for endoscopic laser complications.

Conclusion: Laser endoscopic surgery is 1 of the conservative surgical ways to manage laryngeal chondroma especially in cases of elderly patients with poor health status. It permits adequate removal of the tumor and still maintains structural and functional integrity and preserves possibilities of subtotal or total salvage surgery.