Chondrosarcoma of the larynx: excision of massive recurrence

Chondrosarcoma of the larynx is an uncommon, slow-growing malignant tumor of the larynx which tends to metastasize late. This paper adds to the literature a case which was followed for 18 years. During the first three years it was thought to be a benign chondroma. Conservative management by limiting surgical resection, at the patient's direction, allowed observation of the disease for this unusual length of time. Massive enlargement finally necessitated laryngectomy. The lesion, though unquestionably malignant, had not infiltrated adjacent neck structures and appears to have been totally excised, with the patient now being free of disease six months after surgery. This supports the view of conservative surgical management.