Verrucous carcinoma of the laryn

Abstract

Verrucous carcinoma of the larynx is an uncommon but distinct variety of well differentiated squamous carcinoma and accounts for 1-2% of all [human] laryngeal squamous carcinomata. Awareness of the condition by clinician and histopathologist is essential, otherwise the diagnosis may not be made. From a review of the literature and personal assessment of the cases presented here, it appears that local conservative endoscopic treatment with careful follow-up may be the treatment of choice for certain verrucous carcinomata. Such treatment may be suction diathermy or cryosurgery or laser surgery. Anaplastic transformation has been said to occur following irradiation of these tumors; this view is not held by all clinicians, some of whom recommend radiotherapy for selected cases.