Transoral Laser Surgery for Adenosquamous Carcinoma of the Glottis: First Case Report and Review of the Literature

Abstract

Adenosquamous carcinoma of the head and neck is a rare cancer associated with poor prognosis. Histologically, it is identified through the presence of both adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, although it may be difficult to diagnose from initial endoscopic biopsies. We report a case of adenosquamous carcinoma of the glottis in an 82-year-old female patient who presented with progressive hoarseness of voice and in whom initial biopsies had shown only moderate to severe dysplasia. This is the first case in the literature of a primary adenosquamous carcinoma of the glottis managed successfully with a CO₂ laser left type Va cordectomy. The patient remained disease-free 28 months postoperatively.

Keywords: adenosquamous carcinoma; glottis; larynx; laser.