Fibrovascular polyp of the oropharynx

Fibrovascular polyps are benign but rare tumours of the upper digestive tract. In most of the cases reported to date, fibrovascular polyps have originated from the oesophagus or hypopharynx. In 85-90 percent of these reports, the commonest site was adjacent to the cricopharyngeal muscle. We report a very rare case, the third in the English language literature, of a fibrovascular polyp arising from the oropharynx. The patient provided a history of coughing with regurgitation of the polyp, which caused respiratory discomfort that was only relieved by swallowing it. The patient was successfully treated by excision through the peroral route. There was no recurrence in the three years of follow-up. We also discuss the various diagnostic tests available and the pathogenesis and histopathology of such lesions.