A Case of Carcinoid Tumor of the Larynx

Although carcinoid tumor occurs most commonly in the gastrointestinal tract and lungs, they are very rare in the laryngeal region. After the first case reported by Goldman et al., in 1959, only 26 cases have been reported in the past literature. Among them 4 cases were reported in Japan. In this paper, we reported a case of carcinoid tumor in the supraglottis of a 55 year old man. Indirect laryngoscopy showed a bulge on the right false cord. Three lymph nodes of thumb size were palpable in the right upper part of the neck. Pathological exams of the biopsied specimens from both false cords showed a poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. A right radical neck dissection and total laryngectomy were performed. Histological examinations of the removed specimen showed a malignant transformation of carcinoid tumor and lymph node metastasis. The patient died of liver metastasis 46 days after the operation. Carcinoids have been understood to have malignant characteristics, although they do not exhibit a typically agressive course. It has been reported that carcinoid tumor is not sensitive to irradiation, and therefore, wide surgical removal with neck dissection should be the primary treatment. Besides, pre- and post operative chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and other treatment should also be considered.