Sarcomas of the Larynx: One Institution's Experience and Treatment Protocol Analyses

Abstract

Soft tissue sarcomas in the head and neck are rare malignancies. They occur in this area in less than 1% of all malignant tumors. Some authors have described the development of sarcoma from the mesenchymal tissue in the larynx. The histological diagnosis of a sarcoma depends on the immunohistochemical investigation. In particularly difficult diagnoses, electron microscopy has to be used. The treatment recommendation depends on the histological type of sarcoma. We analysed and summarized data on the diagnostic criteria and therapy for sarcoma of the larynx presented in the literature. We present three new cases of laryngeal sarcoma and describe the analyses of the published diagnostic and treatment schedules of laryngeal sarcomas. We developed a treatment protocol recommendation for laryngeal sarcoma based on an analysis of literature data and case reports. This recommendation is based on histological type, staging, grading, size, and survival data.

Keywords: laryngectomy; laryngoscopy; larynx; sarcoma; surgery; surviving; treatment.

Figure 1

Myofibroblastic sarcoma MRI axial scan (a) and coronar scan of the larynx (b) T2 imaging with depression of fat signal: The tumor mass (T) on the right part of the larynx and anterior commissure without spread into thyroid cartilidge.

Figure 2

Myofibroblastic sarcoma CT axial scan (a) and coronar scan of the larynx (b) use iodine contrast: The tumor mass (T) with comletly obstruction of larynx without spread of tumor into thyroid and cricoid cartilidge. The trachestomy (trachestomy tube) was done before the CT (reason emergency suffocation).

Figure 3

Epithelial sarcoma MRI axial scan (a) and coronar scan of the larynx (b) T2 imaging with depression of fat signal: The tumor mass (T) on the right part of the larynx and nodal metastases (N).