Verrucous carcinoma (Ackerman's tumor) of the larynx: diagnostic and therapeutic considerations.

Verrucous carcinoma (Ackerman's tumor) is a low-grade malignant lesion with distinct clinical and pathologic features, distinguishing it from other well-differentiated squamous cell carcinomas. Much of the confusion surrounding its natural history, response to therapy, and anaplastic transformation may be ascribed to the failure of critically reviewing accepted diagnostic criteria. A series of 44 patients with verrucous carcinoma of the larynx is presented, 18 of these being updated results of previously reported patients. Ackerman's tumor, although not radioresistant, seems less radiosensitive than ordinary squamous cell carcinoma. The tumor's rounded, pushing margins and inability to metastasize would seem to favor endoscopic removal, saving partial laryngectomy procedures for those lesions that cannot be managed endoscopically. Extensive lesions that would require total laryngectomy for complete removal of the tumor should be treated by primary radiotherapy. It is our belief that total laryngectomy should only be performed in large lesions that fail to respond to radiotherapy and whenever medical considerations preclude partial laryngectomy procedures.