Primary Laryngeal Neuroendocrine Carcinoma: Two Cases of an Unusual Tumor in a Rare Location

Abstract

Introduction: Neuroendocrine neoplasm is an infrequent tumor in the larynx which can be sub-classified into five different types: typical carcinoid, atypical carcinoid, large cell carcinoma, small cell carcinoma, and paraganglioma. This tumor mostly occurs in smoker men. The common location of neuroendocrine tumor of the larynx is in the supraglottic area. Because of the complex nature of neuroendocrine neoplasms of the larynx, we found it so interesting to present. We emphasized the clinical importance and aggressive nature of this tumor despite its rarity. Case Presentation: In the present study, we presented 2 cases of atypical carcinoid in non-smoker females. Case 1 was a 74-year-old non-smoker woman who was referred with a history of chronic dysphagia and left otalgia since one year ago. Laryngoscopy revealed a nonulcerated supraglottic epitheliomatous lesion. Biopsy showed atypical carcinoid. The patient had no lymphadenopathy or metastasis in the further workup. The second case was a 60-year-old non-smoker woman with a 4-month history of hoarseness, odynophagia accompanied by cervical lymphadenopathy. Laryngoscopy showed a smooth surface non-ulcerated transglottic tumor. Right vocal cord mobility was restricted. Conclusions: Atypical carcinoid tumor is an underdiagnosed laryngeal malignancy. Although neuroendocrine tumor of the larynx is rare, physicians should be familiar with its unspecified presentations, pathology, clinical course, and prognosis.