Adenocarcinoma with simultaneous squamous carcinomas of the larynx.

BACKGROUND

Primary adenocarcinoma of the larynx is a rare neoplasm. The incidence is reported as less than 1% of all laryngeal neoplasms in multiple series. Simultaneous primary adenocarcinoma and a solitary squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx is even rarer and only one case has been found on review of the literature.

METHODS

A case report of a 74-year-old man with a history of right-sided throat pain, odynophagia, and progressive hoarseness is presented with a review of the literature pertaining to this unusual case.

RESULTS

The patient was found to have three distinctly separate laryngeal lesions on direct laryngoscopy. Histopathologic diagnosis of adenocarcinoma was made on one of the three biopsied sites with the other sites being squamous cell carcinoma. Following Combined radiotherapy and surgical treatment, the patient has remained free of disease.

CONCLUSIONS

Adenocarcinoma of the larynx is an infrequent and lethal disease. This case report and a review of the literature demonstrate that aggressive surgical management is indicated, although still may not result in improved survival.