Small cell anaplastic (oat cell) carcinoma of the larynx: report of a case and review of the literature.

The fifth reported patient with primary laryngeal oat cell carcinoma is described. Electron microscopy of tumor cells revealed typical neurosecretory-type granules similar to those described for pulmonary oat cell carcinoma. Analysis of clinical data from all five reported patients revealed that this neoplasm is a virulent one which spreads early and rapidly and kills quickly. Combination chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy, which has significantly prolonged life in patients with oat cell carcinoma of lung, may be indicated as an adjunct to surgery for this rare malignant tumor of the larynx.