Chondrosarcoma of the larynx: treatment with radiotherapy

The case of a 50-year-old man with chondrosarcoma of the larynx treated with radiotherapy is reported. The patient presented with hoarseness and dyspnea. He underwent computed tomography (CT), which demonstrated a soft tissue mass of the larynx. Direct laryngoscopy with biopsy established the diagnosis of chondrosarcoma. Although experience with radiotherapy in these cases has been lacking in the literature, it was considered and eventually used, as radical surgery would result in severe cosmetic and functional impairment. Radiation therapy alone resulted in long-term remission of the tumour for more than 3 years. The patient has been followed up using CT and direct laryngoscopy for early detection of recurrence or metastases.