Abstract
Primary chondrosarcoma of the larynx is a rare tumor accounting for less than 1％ of all laryngeal malignancies. Laryngeal chondrosarcoma shows slow growth, and the occurrence of distant metastases and lymph node involvement is rare. Here we report a case of chondrosarcoma arising in the thyroid cartilage, and review and discuss the management of this laryngeal chondrosarcoma. The patient was a 52-year-old woman with an anterior cervical tumor which had been followed as a tumor in the right thyroid lobe for 5 years. The tumor then showed sudden and rapid growth, at which point she consulted our department. CT and MRI scans showed a mass in the right thyroid cartilage with cartilage destruction. The results from needle biopsy indicated a malignant cartilaginous tumor. We performed thyroid cartilage tumor resection and laryngeal reconstruction with a titanium plate, and a diagnosis of chondrosarcoma arising in the right thyroid cartilage was made. Subsequent to the surgery, recurrence in the right cervical lymph node was observed and she received adjuvant radiotherapy after right neck dissection. A local recurrence with multilocular cystic lesions appeared from the right nasopharynx to the right hypopharyngeal piriform fossa 1 year and 8 months after irradiation. It was decided that the arytenoid cartilage and vocal cord on the healthy side could be preserved, and pharyngeal malignant tumor resection, near-total laryngectomy and rectus abdominis flap reconstruction were performed to preserve vocal function. Eight months have passed since this last surgery and no recurrence has been observed. Laryngeal chondrosarcoma generally has a good prognosis; if possible, it is important to select a treatment method on a case-by-case basis with the aim of preserving the larynx.
