Chondrosarcoma of the larynx is a very rare tumor originating in cartilage. Endoscopic resection, laryngofissure and total laryngectomy have all been performed in such cases, depending on the size of tumor.
In this paper, we report on chondrosarcoma originating in the cricoid cartilage of a 51-year-old woman who required a total laryngectomy. The chief complaint was hoarseness. A hard tumor 2cm in diameter was palpable slightly to the left of the median line at the level of the cricoid cartilage. Endoscopic examination revealed a subcutaneous tumor under the glottis on the left and an upward displacement of the left vocal cord. On CT, the tumor consisted mainly of cricoid cartilage, but no destruction of the thyroid cartilage was seen. The percutaneous FNA was class IIIb, so chondrosarcoma was suspected. Since the tumor extended beyond the patient's median line, she was diagnosed by frozen section as having a malignant tumor. A total laryngectomy was performed. The diagnosis of chondrosarcoma was confirmed by a pathological examination.
