Squamous cell carcinoma in solitary laryngeal papilloma

This case report of a 20-year-old white woman is the youngest patient with a documented squamous cell carcinoma in a solitary nonirradiated laryngeal papilloma. It is rare for malignant degeneration of solitary squamous cell papilloma to occur in a patient under the age of 40. This case is also unique in that most solitary laryngeal papilloma with or without neoplasm occur in males. Most reported malignant neoplasms in squamous papilloma have been previously treated with irradiation. Because approximately 2% to 3% of solitary laryngeal papilloma have malignant neoplasms, adequate biopsy of the lesion and thorough histologic examination must always be done.