Basosquamous carcinoma of the supraglottic larynx with sudden death from asphyxia

Excluding laryngeal papillomas, neoplasms of the hypopharynx rarely cause sudden asphyxial death in adults. We describe the first such death from a carcinoma and review the literature for similar cases since 1966. A high clinical index of suspicion and early laryngoscopy in individuals with symptoms suggestive of hypopharyngeal neoplasia are important.