Carcinoma of the larynx in a child

Squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx in children is a rare entity, only 21 cases have been reported in patients 10-years-old or younger. A 9-year-old girl presented because of dyspnea and mild hoarseness of one week duration. Laryngoscopy and bronchoscopy showed a supraglottic mass, which proved to be poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. No neck nodes or systemic metastasis were present. The tumor regressed with radiation therapy (6400 rads) but local recurrence and lung metastasis were evident 6 weeks later. Chemotherapy was refused by the parents and the patient died in one month. It is believed that squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx in children parallels that of adults in many respects including response to treatment. However, our attempt to save the larynx by avoiding surgery and using radiotherapy alone was not successful. Squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx in children may be more aggressive than that of adults. The scarcity of cases impedes establishment of treatment protocols in children. Initial aggressive management using surgery, radiotherapy, and possibly chemotherapy may be warranted in children.