Glandular carcinoma of the larynx: the UCLA experience

Glandular carcinomas of the larynx are rare tumors that constitute less than 1% of all laryngeal malignancies. A retrospective case review of 12 patients with glandular carcinomas of the larynx is presented to identify patient and tumor characteristics, therapeutic modalities, and treatment outcomes. Ten patients underwent surgical excision of the primary tumor, by either supraglottic laryngectomy, vertical partial laryngectomy, or total laryngectomy. Seven of these patients also received postoperative radiotherapy. After a median follow-up period of 23 months, 7 of the 12 patients (58.3%) died as a result of uncontrolled locoregional disease or distant metastases. The 5-year survival rate was 57% in patients who underwent combination therapy versus 50% for those patients who received surgery alone. Surgical resection is the primary treatment modality used in the majority of cases. Neck dissection is reserved for patients with clinically apparent adenopathy, adenocarcinoma, or high-grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma. Combination therapy with surgical resection and radiotherapy may be more effective in achieving tumor remission than is surgical resection alone.