Kehlkopf und Luftröhre

Giant cell tumor of the larynx: a case report and review of the literature

Giant cell tumors are benign tumors commonly found in the long bones. Rarely, they may occur in the larynx, and patients with such tumors may present with hoarseness and anterior neck swelling. Since Wessely reported the first case of laryngeal giant cell tumor in 1940, 30 cases have been identified. Herein, we present a case of a 31-year-old man with giant cell tumor of the larynx successfully treated via the hemilaryngectomy approach.

Giant cell tumor of the larynx

Giant cell tumors are benign tumors generally found in the long bones. Very rarely, they can occur in the larynx and may present with dysphonia, dysphagia, or dyspnea. A case of giant cell tumor of the larynx was recently identified and successfully treated by a partial laryngectomy. A literature review has revealed 18 case reports of giant cell tumor of the larynx. All cases occurred in men. These 19 cases are reviewed, and follow-up data presented where available. There have been no reports of recurrence regardless of treatment, and an excellent prognosis can be expected when one encounters this unusual laryngeal neoplasm.

Giant cell tumor of the larynx

Among the more uncommon tumors that may sometimes be encountered in the laryngeal region is the recently described giant cell tumor of the larynx. This lesion is a true neoplasm, presumably of the fibrohistiocytic series. Histologically, it closely resembles the more familiar true giant cell tumor of long bone. The laryngeal giant cell tumors appear, to date, to be nonmetastasizing lesions; it is possible that they may recur locally if incompletely excised (although this remains to be demonstrated). In view of the rarity of these tumors, a tentative diagnosis of such a neoplasm should always prompt consideration of other (more frequently encountered) differential diagnostic possibilities, including cytologically malignant giant cell-rich tumors such as malignant fibrous histiocytoma and sarcomatoid carcinoma.