Cartilaginous tumors of the trachea and larynx

Cartilaginous tumors of the larynx are uncommon, with approximately 250 having been reported in the literature. Only 28% of these were chondrosarcomas, and the remainder, chondromas. Cartilaginous tumors occur even more rarely in the trachea, with eight chondromas and four chondrosarcomas having been reported. A review of the literature with an outline of a reasonable treatment philosophy for these tumours is presented, as well as three case reports of chondrosarcoma of the larynx and one of chondroma of the trachea, which demonstrate common characteristics of these tumors. We also describe a new technique used on one of these patients in which an autologous rib cartilage graft and pyriform fossa mucosal flap are used to reconstruct the cricoid ring after resection of more than two thirds of its circumference, allowing decannulation and good voice postoperatively.