[Nonepidermoid carcinomas of the larynx--15 years experience in the single institution]

Abstract

Nonsquamous carcinomas of the larynx are very rare and present a diverse group of diseases. Timely recognition of these tumors is extremely important for their different origin, appearance, and approach in the treatment and prognosis. Polypoid and submucosal lesions of the larynx are characteristic findings in these tumors, and probably the reason for late diagnosis even in the presence of symptoms. According to cell origin, nonsquamous carcinomas are classified into secretory, connective tissue, lymphoreticular, melanoma, or metastatic carcinoma. In this study, 771 laryngeal carcinomas treated during a 15-year (1990-2005) period at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Center Zagreb, were reviewed to yield 11 cases of nonsquamous carcinoma, including one case of neuroendocrine carcinoma, leiomyosarcoma, fibrosarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, adenoid cystic carcinoma, and plasmacytoma, 2 cases of chondrosarcoma, and 3 cases of high-grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma. Our experience and treatment results for these tumors are presented.