Laryngeal chondrosarcoma: fine needle aspiration (FNA) of an unusual tumour

Primary chondrosarcoma of the thyroid cartilage: Surgery-based management of a rare case

In this study, we present a case of a 52-year-old male with a chondrosarcoma of the left lamina of the thyroid cartilage. Pre-operative evaluations detected typical calcifications and delineated the extent of the tumor. The patient underwent a total laryngectomy to ensure the complete resection of the tumor. The tumor was histopathologically found to consist of chondrocytes in a hyaline cartilage matrix. The patient's post-operative course has been successful apart from the permanent tracheostomy. Herien, we discuss the methods and rationales for the diagnosis and management of and recovery from this rare tumor, and also provide a review of the literature.

Laryngeal chondrosarcoma: A systematic review of 592 cases

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS

Laryngeal chondrosarcomas are rare entities that arise from the cartilaginous structures of the larynx, including the cricoid, thyroid cartilage, epiglottis, and arytenoid cartilages. These tumors represent a minority of malignancies involving the larynx and can be mistaken for benign pathologies. The treatment has historically been surgical excision, often by total laryngectomy. This review investigates treatment modalities and patient outcomes.

STUDY DESIGN

Systematic review using PubMed/MEDLINE and EMBASE database.

METHODS

The databases were used to identify articles reporting cases of chondrosarcomas occurring exclusively in the larynx. Variables analyzed included patient demographics, presenting symptoms, grade, therapeutic approach, patient outcomes, and follow-up.

RESULTS

Five hundred and ninety-two cases were identified. The average age reported was 62.5 years. There was a 3:1 male to female ratio. The most common surgical approach was local excision in 178 cases, followed by total laryngectomy in 174 cases. Nonsurgical treatment such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy was only used in 0.8% and 0.2%, respectively. Disease-specific survival rates for 1, 5, 10, and 20 years were 97.7%, 91.4%, 81.8%, and 68.0%, respectively, with no differences when comparing 5-year survival rates for location, grade, and therapy.

CONCLUSION

Laryngeal chondrosarcomas are rare with a good prognosis. Various surgical approaches exist, with no difference noted in 5-year survival outcomes. Nonsurgical approaches were rarely used for these lesions.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

N/A. Laryngoscope, 2016 127:430-439, 2017.

Laryngeal chondrosarcoma as a rare cause of subglottic stenosis

Laryngeal chondrosarcoma (CS) is a very rare entity. It is usually seen in 50-80-year olds. It is developed from cricoid cartilage largely. Patients have laryngeal CS complaint of respiratuvar distress, dysphonia, and dysphagia generally. A submucous mass is usually seen in physical examination with an intact mucosa. Distant metastasis is rare in CSs. Main treatment is surgical excision. An 82-year-old patient who has respiratuvar distress is presented in this paper and laryngeal CS is reviewed in the light of the literature.

Ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration diagnosis of supraglottic laryngeal cancer

BACKGROUND

Although intraoperative laryngoscopic examination and biopsy of patients who present with locally advanced supraglottic carcinomas remains the standard of care, there are occasions when a more expedited biopsy can be helpful.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We describe a quick diagnostic technique of ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration of endolaryngeal advanced supraglottic carcinomas, which can be performed in the clinic without any preparation. Ultrasound scanning is performed through the thyrohyoid membrane. The tumor is visualized as an irregular hypoechoic mass. While continuing to visualize the mass, a 21-gange needle attached to a syringe is passed through the contralateral thyrohyoid membrane into the mass. Suction is applied, and the aspirate is sent for cytologic study.

CONCLUSIONS

When formal intraoperative laryngoscopy and biopsy is not feasible or timely, ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy enables a rapid diagnosis and eliminates the cost, side effects, and risks of a direct laryngoscopy.

Atypical chondroma of the cricoid cartilage: fine-needle aspiration cytologic and histopathologic findings

Chondroma of the laryngeal skeleton is a rare, benign neoplasm manifested either as a neck mass or, if situated within the airway, as slowly progressive obstruction, hoarseness, or dyspnea. The most common site is the posterior plate of the cricoid cartilage. An atypical perichondrial chondroma arising from the anterior plate of the cricoid cartilage membrane as a neck mass in a young female is presented. The diagnosis was made on a fine-needle aspiration of the mass and subsequently confirmed by histologic examination of the excised mass. Although rare, cartilaginous tumors of the laryngeal skeleton can manifest as a neck mass, and the diagnosis can be made by fine-needle aspiration biopsy in combination with radiographic and clinical examinations. Therefore, the existence and inclusion of these tumors in the differential diagnosis of neck masses by aspiration biopsy should be considered by clinicians and pathologists, and especially cytopathologists, when cartilaginous components are encountered.