Laryngeal oncocytic cystadenomas. Eight cases and a literature review

To describe an uncommon clinical entity, laryngeal oncocytic salivary adenomas.

While the nomenclature of these lesions may differ depending on their histologic appearance, these tumors are all generally part of a spectrum of clinically benign cystic and papillary lesions derived from oncocytic metaplasia and hyperplasia of minor salivary ducts.

Eight cases of laryngeal oncocytic lesions collected from two institutions. Further clinical background and follow-up data were obtained on five of eight patients.

Patients were mostly in their seventh and eighth decades of life, and all who were questioned had smoking histories. Hoarseness was a common presenting complaint, and all patients had polypoid laryngeal masses. One patient presented with progressive upper airway obstruction, which was ultimately fatal; the laryngeal oncocytic cystadenoma was diagnosed in this case during postmortem examination. The laryngeal lesions were predominantly supraglottic. Histologically, they consisted of oncocytic metaplasia of the minor salivary ducts, cystic dilation, and papillary and microcystic hyperplasia. No recurrences were seen in those patients with follow-up (four of eight).

Laryngeal oncocytic lesions usually present as supraglottic masses in older patients. While they are oncologically benign and nonrecurring after endoscopic removal, they may occasionally be the cause of significant upper airway obstruction.