Benign tumours of the larynx

Over the 8-year period 1971--1978, 743 benign lesions of the larynx, of which 551 were pseudotumors and 192 were benign neoplasms, were surgically treated at Groote Schuur Hospital. In comparison, during the same period 402 malignant tumours of the larynx were also seen. The commonest benign lesions were vocal cord nodules, almost exclusively found in women, and the vocal cord polyp, predominantly found in men. The various specific pathological entities encountered are discussed.