Pseudosarcomas of the pharynx and larynx

Pseudosarcoma of the pharynx and larynx has remained an enigma both to the pathologist and clinician since its original description by Lane in 1957. These lesions are usually polypoid growths that microscopically present very bizarre appearances beneath a squamous cell carcinoma. Eight cases of pseudosarcoma of the larynxand pharynx were observed. These occurred almost twice as often in males as females, with an average age of 56 years. Most were extralaryngeal lesions, and in all cases surgical excision was the primary therapeutic modality. A thorough review of the literature summarizes the clinical and pathologic characteristics of these lesions. There is strong clinical evidence against the traditional belief of the benign course of these lesions, and we recommend that they be treated aggresively like any other carcinoma of the head and neck.