Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma of the Larynx

Abstract

A 82-year-old man complained of a hoarseness of a four months duration. Indirect laryngoscope revealed a non-ulcerated tumor mass lesion involving an arytenoid lesion. The mass was surgically extirpated and histologically, tumor cell nests were composed of numerous cystic spaces and solid proliferation. Ultrastructurally, in the cystic pattern, a basal lamina adjacent to the surrounding epithelial cells was seen and the intermediate zone was composed of stellate or round granules and the central core of a bundle of densely packed collagen fibrils. The cytoplasm of neoplastic epithelial cell contained filaments, rough endoplasmic reticulum, free ribosomes, and dense secretory granules. In the solid pattern, small desmosomes and intercellular spaces were observed and occasionally small cystic spaces and mitosis were evident. This tumor was thus diagnosed as an adenoid cystic carcinoma. © 1978, The Society of Practical Otolaryngology. All rights reserved.