Benign pedunculated tumours of the hypopharynx. 3 case reports, 1 with late malignant transformation.

Benign pedunculated tumours of the hypopharynx are very rare. Only a few cases of hypopharyngeal fibrolipomas have been reported. This paper adds 2 more cases with characteristic clinical features. We also present a case of recurrent fibromatous tumours of the hypopharynx with malignant change after 20 years. Malignant transformation of an originally benign hypopharyngeal tumour is extremely unusual. The clinical and pathological aspects of pedunculated benign tumours of the hypopharynx are discussed. Symptoms and signs are few and uncharacteristic. The diagnosis is difficult and often delayed. There is a risk of suffocation by laryngeal obstruction by the tumour. When the accurate diagnosis is established, the treatment of choice should be a lateral pharyngotomy with complete removal of the tumour. Long-term follow-up is recommended.