Laryngeal chondrosarcoma, a 30-year series

Abstract

Introduction and objectives: Laryngeal chondrosarcoma is a rare laryngeal pathology arising from cartilaginous structures and is predominantly found in the cricoid cartilage. This study investigates its presentation, treatment modalities and patient outcomes.

Patients or materials and methods: Retrospective study of laryngeal chondrosarcoma cases followed from 1992 to 2022 in the Otorhinolaryngology department of a cancer center - Instituto Português de Oncologia de Lisboa. Statistical analysis was made with Microsoft Excel® and SPSS®.

Results: We identified 16 cases, of which two-thirds were male, with an average age of 59.6 years, and only 24% of them had a history of smoking. The commonest presentation was indolent dysphonia and/or dyspnea, and the posterior arch of the cricoid cartilage was the most affected place. Although histopathological studies after biopsy were often inconclusive, surgery emerged as the first-line of treatment for all patients. Larynx microsurgery with lesion debulking was the most frequent surgical approach (47%) followed by partial laryngectomy (24%). Neither adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) nor chemotherapy was administered in any of the cases. There was residual tumor in 23% of the cases so half of these patients were in watchful waiting while the other part underwent further microsurgery or total laryngectomy. Only one patient with recurrence received RT. Disease-specific survival rate at 1 and 5 years was 97% and 91%, respectively.

Conclusion: Laryngeal chondrosarcoma etiology is still unknown and is effectively treated with surgery, with a generally favorable prognosis. The main concern lies in its propensity to relapse, highlighting the importance of watchful follow-up.

Keywords: Cancer; Chondroma; Chondrosarcoma; Condroma; Condrosarcoma; Cáncer; Laringe; Larynx.