Laryngeal adenoid cystic carcinoma in an adolescent

Malignant tumors of the larynx are extremely rare in children and adolescents. Adenoid cystic carcinoma accounts for less than 1% of all malignant tumors in the larynx. We presented a 16-year-old girl with subglottic adenoid cystic carcinoma, whose symptoms of prolonged and exacerbating dyspnea had been attributed to asthma at another medical center. Indirect flexible and rigid laryngoscopy revealed a smooth mass in the subglottic region occupying 80% of the airway passage. The lesion was also confirmed by both CT and MRI. There was no lymphadenopathy in the neck. The patient was successfully treated by surgery and postoperative radiotherapy. Pathological staging was T4N0M0 according to the AJCC, 2003. During six years of follow-up, there was no evidence for local recurrence or regional and distant metastasis.