Atypical carcinoid of the larynx. Case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND: With an incidence of over 90%, squamous carcinomas are the most frequent laryngeal malignancies. Laryngeal neuroendocrine tumors appear only in approximately 1%. These are aggressive tumours with a high rate of metastases. To date, no diagnosis or treatment guidelines have been established for this entity. CASE REPORT: We describe the case of a 63-year-old man complaining of dysphagia and intermittent hoarseness. Initial laryngoscopy showed a tumour at the laryngeal epiglottic surface. Staging demonstrated an atypical carcinoid tumour with local lymph-node metastasis. At 24 months following revision surgery with safety distance, elective bilateral neck dissection and adjuvant radiotherapy the patient is free of complaints and recurrence. CONCLUSION: In atypical carcinoid tumours total resection as well as bilateral neck dissection should be performed, even in cN0 cases. In the presence of cervical lymph node metastases adjuvant radiotherapy is indicated.