The barrier-like role of activated connective tissue against the spread of supraglottic laryngeal carcinoma.

Light microscopic investigations of whole organ serial sections of 15 laryngectomy specimens with supraglottic carcinomas and comparative electron microscopic studies of the upper and lower poles of the tumors were carried out. The ultrastructure of different poles of the same supraglottic tumors was investigated and showed a more progressive fibrillogenesis with an activation of the connective tissue elements of the border on the lower pole of the malignancy. A significant role is attributed to the barrier-forming feature of activated connective tissue with respect to the inhibition of the extension of tumor into the glottic region.