Cartilage tumors of the larynx

Abstract

Tumors of cartilage in the larynx arise either from the cartilaginous skeleton of the larynx or as metaplastic nodules in laryngeal soft tissues, unassociated with the hyaline cartilages of the larynx. Chondrosarcomas, nearly always histologically low-grade, make up the largest numbers of the neoplasms and arise principally from the cricoid cartilage. Despite a recurrence rate of 65%, conservative surgical management, when possible, is advocated to preserve the larynx. Chondrometaplastic nodules are to be distinguished from chondrosarcoma and the rarely occurring chondroma. The nodules are not neoplastic and have a low to nil recurrent potential.