A Case of Laryngeal Chondroma Suspected of Malignant Tumor

Laryngeal chondroma is quite rare and only 23 cases have been reported in Japan including this case. The patient, a 59-year-old male, visited Tokyo Medical College Kasumigaura Hospital complaining of dyspnea and a slight dysphagia. Indirect laryngoscopy revealed that there was a subglottic tumor, and it seemed that this tumor grew fast and became easy to bleed for the recent three months by the patient's statement. Thus, it was suspected of malignancy. It was so large that total laryngectomy had to be performed. The tumor originated from the posterior part of the cricoid cartilage.A literature survey was carried out on 16 males and 6 females already reported in Japan, and the following information could be obtained; 18 cases out of 23 including this one were in between 50 and 70 years old, most of laryngeal chondroma originated from the cricoid cartilage, and the thyroid cartilage, the vocal cord and the arytenoid cartilage succeeded in order of incidence. There was no tumor arising from the epiglottis. Surgical removal is the only treatment for this tumor.