Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the larynx (stage IE)

Four cases of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) limited to the larynx are described. All were diffuse, high-grade, B-cell lymphomas of large lymphoid cell type (three centroblastic and one immunoblastic). Immunocytochemistry was performed on three cases; two showed monoclonal cytoplasmic immunoglobulin and one showed monoclonal surface immunoglobulin. In three cases, complete remission was obtained with radical radiotherapy; the fourth patient died suddenly of acute laryngeal obstruction. The cases are compared with other reports of laryngeal non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) in the literature. The biologic behavior of these tumors has many features in common with other extranodal lymphomas arising from mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (e.g., a tendency to remain localized for long periods of time and to disseminate to other extranodal and unusual sites, with good response to radiotherapy for both the primary tumor and extranodal recurrences).