Laryngeal chondrosarcoma (LCS) is seen in up to 1% of all laryngeal tumors and shows indolently slow growth. Distant metastases and lymph node involvement are rare. Although a number of foreign series of LCS have been presented in the English literature, this has not been the case with Japanese series. To allow comparison with other series, we report on a Japanese series with the addition of our own case.
A 64-year-old man presented with a 1-year history of hoarseness and gradually increasing dyspnea. We suspected LCS based on findings from CT and MRI scans. For post-tracheostomy histological confirmation, direct laryngoscopy and a biopsy were performed under general anesthesia. Chondrosarcoma was confirmed histologically. A total laryngectomy was performed to allow preservation of the laryngeal framework. As of 2 years postoperatively, no evidence of recurrences or metastases has been seen.
Since 1973, the Japanese literature has described 45 cases (28 males, 15 females, 2 unknown) including several laryngeal chondromas, which were excluded from this review. Several cases contained incomplete information, but we analyzed their information to achieve a more complete grasp of LCS in Japan. The mean age was 62 years (range, 27-82 years). The site of origin was on the cricoid cartilage in 36 patients, on the thyroid cartilage in 6 patients, on the epiglottis cartilage in 1 patient and unknown in 2 patients. Total laryngectomies were performed in 27 patients as initial treatment. Organ preservation surgery was performed in 17 patients, of whom 4 underwent total laryngectomy. No patients in the Japanese literature showed distant or regional metastases.
