Atypical carcinoid tumour of the larynx

The case of an atypical carcinoid tumour of the larynx is described in a 65-year-old man. This rare tumour may present diagnostic difficulties, but the diagnosis should be considered in a patient presenting with symptoms of local or referred pain and an apparently small, non-ulcerating supraglottic tumour. Immunocytochemistry has an important role in establishing the diagnosis. A very unusual feature of this case was positive staining for S-100 protein by sustentacular cells. Atypical carcinoid tumours do not respond well to radiotherapy so the primary treatment should be surgical resection.