[Histopathological studies on glottic cancer by serial sections]

Abstract

In 31 glottic cancer specimens from partial laryngectomy, the histopathological findings were compared with vocal cord motility and 5-year survival rate. Among the 31 cases, 7 had ventricular involvements, in which 3 were transglottic tumors; 2 had had their framework destroyed. Eight cases had anterior commissure involvement. Only one had the tendon affected. Of 20 cases with mobile cords, the lesions were entirely superficial to the conus elasticus. Only a few specimens showed minimal invasions of the arytenoid region. Of 8 cases with limited vocal cord motility, invasion of the thyroarytenoid muscle was quite apparent, 4 specimens had the arytenoid areas surrounded by nests of tumor cells, and one case had local recurrence 12 months after operation. There were 3 cases with vocal cord fixation, 2 with subglottic extensions showed cricoid cartilage involvement and had had recurrences 10 and 12 months after operation. Another one with transglottic lesion was controlled by middle portion subtotal laryngectomy. Nine cases had subglottic involvement. One with transglottic lesion had recurrence, the other with arytenoid invasion had local recurrence. In two more recurrent cases, tumors cells spreaded submucosally toward the infraglottic area.