Non-epidermoid Epithelial, Neuroectodermal and Mesenchymal Neoplasms of the Larynx

Abstract

Most of the benign and malignant epithelial neoplasms of the larynx are epidermoid but a small proportion are not. The latter may occasionally arise from the respiratory epithelium which covers most of the larynx, but more usually emanate from the cells lining the seromucinous glands, which are abundant in the larynx, particularly in the false cord and adjacent to the saccule. Benign neoplasms arising from seromucinous glands of the larynx are very rare. Malignant tumours originating from seromucinous glands are in the form of adenocarcinomas and of adenoid cystic carcinomas. Although more frequent than benign seromucinous gland neoplasms, they are usually thought to constitute less than 1% of all laryngeal neoplasms. A third group of non-epidermoid carcinomas, possibly of the same source, and thought to be the largest group—the neuroendocrine carcinomas—is considered below.